The specific number of hours that an educational leader gets off the floor, or away from direct teaching duties, can vary depending on various factors, including the policies and practices of the educational institution, the level of responsibility, and the specific role of the educational leader.
As educational leaders, such as principals or heads of departments, have additional administrative and leadership responsibilities, they often have a reduced teaching load or may not engage in direct teaching at all. This allows them to focus on their leadership duties, such as strategic planning, staff management, curriculum development, and school administration.
The amount of time an educational leader gets off the floor can vary widely. In some cases, educational leaders may have a reduced teaching load where they teach fewer classes or have designated non-teaching periods during the week. In other cases, particularly for larger schools or institutions, educational leaders may have minimal or no direct teaching responsibilities, allowing them to fully concentrate on their administrative and leadership roles.
The specific arrangements for off-the-floor time for educational leaders are typically determined by collective bargaining agreements, enterprise agreements, or individual employment contracts. These agreements may outline the allocated time for administrative duties, professional development, meetings, and other leadership responsibilities.
An employee appointed as the Educational Leader will be entitled to a minimum of two hours non-contact time per week. During non-contact time, an employee will not be required to supervise children or perform other duties as directed by the employer. An Educational Leader who also has programming responsibilities for an individual child or group of children will be entitled to a minimum of four hours non-contact time per week.
For Educators and Educational Leaders not receiving their programming time during the week, you should make a formal request to your Director/Management, forwarding Clause 21.5 of the Children’s Services Award 2010, to ensure that you receive it. By law, it’s a requirement for educators and educational leaders to receive programming time as stated in the Children’s Services Award.
It’s important to note that the exact amount of time off the floor can differ between institutions and may be subject to negotiation and review. For precise information on the off-the-floor time for educational leaders, it is advisable to consult the relevant enterprise agreements, employment contracts, or contact the human resources departments of specific educational institutions.