Assumptions and pay data
- Burgundy Book section 4 para 2.1: full pay for 25 working days and, after four calendar months' service, half pay for 50 in your first year; 50 and 50 in your second; 75 and 75 in your third; and 100 days of each from your fourth year. Working days are days within directed time (para 2.3).
- Sick leave years run from 1/4 to 31/3, not a rolling 12 months, and sick pay from a previous employer in the same year counts (para 4.1).
- Service means all your teaching service with one or more local authorities added together (para 2.1). Academies may use their own policy, so check yours.
- Statutory Sick Pay is included in sick pay, not added (para 3.1).
Sick Pay Entitlement Calculator
EnglandMaintained schools / STPCD or NJC support staffFramework from 1/9/2026
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Guide for Classroom Teacher
This guide summarises occupational sick pay for Classroom Teacher under School Teachers' Pay (England) at Schools. Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is usually paid as part of occupational sick pay, not on top of it.
Sick pay for Classroom Teacher
As Classroom Teacher at Schools, occupational sick pay usually follows School Teachers. With around five years' continuous service, illustrative entitlement might be up to 100 working days on full pay and 100 working days on half pay each sick leave year. Self-certification is often allowed for the first seven days; a fit note is commonly required after that.
Fit notes and rolling periods
Self-certification is often allowed for the first seven days. Some employers use a rolling period (for example four years) that limits how much full and half pay you can use. Check your policy for qualifying service and evidence requirements.
Example scenario
Example at 5 years' service: 100 working days on full pay and 100 on half pay under the Burgundy Book
| Sector terms (example) | School Teachers |
|---|---|
| Years of service (example) | 5 |
| Full pay working days (example) | 100 |
| Half pay working days (example) | 100 |
Frequently asked questions
How much sick pay do teachers get?
Full pay for 25 working days and, after four calendar months' service, half pay for 50 in your first year; 50 and 50 in your second; 75 and 75 in your third; and 100 days of each from your fourth year, under Burgundy Book para 2.1. Your employer can give more (para 2.2).
Do school holidays count against my sick leave?
No. Sickness during school closures does not use up your entitlement, and you stay on the rate you were on the day before the closure (paras 7.1 and 7.2).
What if I am injured or assaulted at work?
You get full pay for up to six calendar months, and that absence does not count against your normal sick leave (paras 9.1 and 9.3).
Does my entitlement reset each year?
Yes, on 1/4. If you are off sick on 31/3, your new entitlement starts only when you return to work (para 4.1).
Is Statutory Sick Pay paid on top?
No. Para 3.1 says sick pay includes Statutory Sick Pay, and the total cannot exceed your full pay.
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About this role
What is a Classroom Teacher?
A Classroom Teacher in England is a qualified teacher (QTS) who plans and delivers lessons, assesses pupils and supports their progress. They work in maintained schools, academies or free schools, usually on the Main or Upper Pay Range (STPCD).
Typical demands, progression and balance
If you enjoy being with pupils and helping them learn, most terms bring variety and moments that feel worthwhile. How busy it is, and how your pay looks, will still depend on your school, subject and the age groups you teach. Some teachers later take on a TLR, lead practitioner work or a route towards senior leadership; others are very happy to stay in the classroom, and that is a valued path too.
What sick pay am I entitled to?
Contractual sick pay usually depends on length of service. Use the calculator above to see full pay and half pay periods for your sector. Always check your employer's policy and fit-note requirements.
Disclaimer
Illustrative estimates, not legal or HR advice. Your contract and your employer's policy decide your actual entitlement.