Reduce teachers’ timetables in disadvantaged schools, says Teach First

The government should fund a pilot to reduce teachers’ timetabled hours in some of the most disadvantaged schools, charity Teach First has said in its manifesto.

The charity says that reducing timetabled hours for teachers in schools serving the most disadvantaged areas would allow them to spend more time on planning high quality lessons and professional development, which would improve pupil outcomes.

A pilot to reduce teachers’ timetabled hours by 20 per cent in one per cent of the most disadvantaged schools would cost around £30 million a year to recruit the additional staff needed, Teach First said.

This idea has also been supported by teachers; polling of more than 6,000 teachers by Teacher Tapp found that 52 per cent believed funding to reduce hours would make a difference. The proposal came second only to funding and access to social and mental health services, which was backed by 61 per cent.

The manifesto also says the government should significantly increase funding allocated to schools between 2022-23 and 2025-26, and channel it through increases to the pupil premium.

Teach First also said the government should boost its Covid-19 education recovery package, including teachers’ pay, particularly for those working in disadvantaged areas. 

Read the full manifesto here.