Scots teachers ‘work an extra 11 hours’ per week

TEACHERS are working an average of more than 11 hours above their contractual 35-hour week, a survey has found.

Including preparation and marking, teachers are working well over their 35-hour contracts. Picture: John Devlin

The survey by the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) asked more than 3,500 primary and secondary teachers to record their working hours over a two-week period.

It found that the average teacher works 46.5 hours per week - an extra 33 per cent on top of their contractual commitment.

The teaching union described the situation as “unsustainable” and called on the Scottish Government and local authorities to act.

In the primary sector, the average teacher spent 9.3 hours on preparation and correction, where the contractual position for a full-time teacher sets aside 7.5 hours.

In addition, planning took, on average, 3.4 hours per week for primary teachers, assessment took 1.3 hours and reporting consumed 2.3 hours of a teachers’ time.

In secondary schools, teachers spent 8.5 hours on preparation & correction, 2.5 hours planning, 2.7 hours on assessment and 1.5 hours on curricular development.

EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said: “It is clear that the current situation is unsustainable and that urgent steps must be taken by the Scottish Government, local authorities and national education bodies to reduce the crippling workload burden that is being placed on Scotland’s teachers.

“The workload picture is similar for teachers in all sectors and at all grades, and for teachers on full-time contracts or part-time contracts.

“No matter what the individual contractual commitment, the evidence gathered during the fortnight focus demonstrates that high levels of additional working are the norm for Scotland’s teachers.”

• Have you visited our new Scottish food and drink site?