School teachers in talks for four-day working week – as parents moan ‘don’t they have enough time off’

44 comments 44 Next PARENTS have been left furious over talks that school teachers may be given a four day working week. Education secretary Lucy Powell has asked an independent pay review body to examine how ministers could relax rules that require teachers to be available to work the entire school terms and training days, The Times has reported. Schools will still be required to carry lessons out over the full five- day week. Credit: PA Schools will still be required to carry lessons out over the full five-day week.

Advertisement The change could mean that educators in council- run schools could complete their contracted hours over fewer days. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Email address Please provide a valid email. Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy You'll now receive top stories, breaking news, and more, straight to your email. Teachers are currently required to work 195 days, but under the proposed shake-up they may be allowed to do their hours over four longer days.

Meanwhile, other teachers would be “timetabled” to take their classes on the fifth day, the outlet explained. read more on news JAIL PLEA Andrew Tate 'very sick' in jail as lawyer moans he is being ‘denied treatment’ DEADLY RAMPAGE Terrorist gunman who killed one & injured girl, 12, 'booby trapped home' In a letter to Mike Aldred, chairman of the School Teachers’ Review Body, the education secretary said: “We are proposing a targeted amendment to clarify that teachers may be available to work their directed hours up to 195 days (or pro rata equivalent), with the intention to provide leaders with greater flexibility to choose to depart from the 195-day requirement to respond to evolving workforce needs.”

It comes amid warnings that inflexible working conditions may be driving teachers out of the profession. However, talk of a more flexible working pattern for teachers has left some parents furious. Taking to social media, one said: “Don’t they have enough time off.” Most read in The Sun DAVID WOODING We had an 'honest discussion' about the EU, Andy… it was called a referendum THE SUN SAYS We need a serious PM & TikTok’s Andy Burnham shows no signs of being that man STREET ATTACK Man in his 30s in critical condition after assault on busy city centre street DAMNING DOSSIER Horror list of items seized from Thomas Markle's home revealed “They get another day off but if our kids have that day off we will be fined!” another said.

Advertisement “I bet kids won’t be getting four day week though,” another furious parent moaned. However, not everyone was opposed. “Finally! Need to give teachers time to do the job, at present, it’s impossible,” said one. “Good, the stress is unbearable and schools are losing extremely experienced teachers in droves,” another chimed in. A Department of Education source made clear to The Times that a five- day school week would not change.

Advertisement Instead, the reforms were about examining whether rules for council-run schools could be brought in line with academies – where flexible working options are offered. 44 comments 44