Assumptions and pay data
Pay data: School Teachers' Pay (England). Main (M1–M6) and Upper (U1–U3) rest-of-England points uplifted 3.5% for September 2026 (STRB accepted). Leading Practitioner and Leadership interpolated as before. Support: NJC SCP 5–12 uplifted 3.3% from 1/4/2026. The final STPCD 2026 is expected in November 2026. Heads of department use the Upper Pay Range; add your TLR payment in the allowances calculator.
- Teachers under the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD) have no separate annual leave entitlement. Time off is taken in the school holidays.
- Directed time for classroom teachers is capped at 1,265 hours over 195 days a year in England, pro-rata for part-time. Headteachers and other leadership roles are not covered by these limits.
- Term dates are set by your local authority or academy trust. Check your school calendar.
Annual Leave Calculator
EnglandMaintained schools / STPCD or NJC support staffFramework from 1/9/2026
Guide only
Teachers do not have a conventional annual leave pot
Under the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document, full-time teachers in England can be directed for up to 1,265 hours across 195 days (190 teaching + 5 INSET). Leave is taken in school holidays, typically around 13 weeks across the year, though exact term dates vary by local authority or academy trust. See the figures below, then confirm with your school calendar.
Scope: England · Maintained schools / STPCD or NJC support staff
Typical leave picture for ECT
Under STPCD there is no separate annual leave pot. These are the national directed-time limits for England, plus an illustrative school-holiday pattern. Exact term dates vary by local authority or academy trust.
Scope: England (STPCD): national working-time limits
Max directed time
1,265 hours
Per academic year
Days available
195
Of which 190 teaching + 5 INSET
Illustrative holidays
13 weeks
~39 weeks in school
Part-time teachers: directed time is pro-rata of 1,265 hours over 195 days.
Exact term dates are set by your local authority or academy trust. A common full-time England classroom pattern is about 39 weeks in school and about 13 weeks of school holidays.
| Holiday | Typical length |
|---|---|
| Autumn half-term | About 1 week |
| Christmas | About 2 weeks |
| February half-term | About 1 week |
| Easter | About 2 weeks |
| May half-term | About 1 week |
| Summer | About 6 weeks |
| Area | Directed time | Holidays / term dates |
|---|---|---|
| England (national STPCD) | Up to 1,265 hours across 195 days | Leave taken in school holidays: no separate annual leave pot |
| London boroughs / trusts | Same STPCD directed-time limits | Term dates set by the borough or trust (often similar holiday blocks, different start/end dates) |
| Northern England LAs | Same STPCD directed-time limits | LA publishes its own calendar; half-terms and Easter weeks can shift by a week |
| Midlands & South West | Same STPCD directed-time limits | Trust or county calendar; check your school’s published term dates |
Official references: School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document (England) · Find school term dates on GOV.UK
Directed time limits are national under STPCD for England. Term dates vary by local authority or academy trust. Support staff in schools are usually on National Joint Council (NJC) local government terms instead.
Frequently asked questions
What does this annual leave page do?
It does not calculate a leave figure, because teachers under the STPCD take leave in the school holidays rather than having a set number of days. It shows the national working-time limits and a typical holiday pattern instead.
Do teachers get annual leave?
Not as a set number of days. Under the STPCD, a full-time classroom teacher in England can be directed to work up to 1,265 hours across 195 days a year. The rest of the year is school holidays, usually around 13 weeks.
Do headteachers have the same limits?
No. Headteachers, deputy heads and assistant heads are not covered by the directed time limits. They take leave in the school holidays, but may be expected to work some of that time. Check with your governing body or trust.
How does part-time work affect my time off?
Part-time teachers are directed for a pro-rata share of the full-time hours and days, in line with their contract. Your time off still falls in the school holidays.
When are the school holidays?
Your local authority or academy trust sets the term dates, so they vary from school to school. GOV.UK has a tool to find the dates for your area.
What about support staff in schools?
Support staff usually have a set number of leave days under National Joint Council (NJC) 'Green Book' terms or the school's own terms. Term-time staff are often paid for their holiday through annualised pay rather than taking it as days.
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About this role
What is an ECT?
An ECT (Early Career Teacher) is in the first two years of teaching after gaining QTS. They receive structured support and reduced timetable. Pay is on the Main Pay Range (STPCD).
Typical demands, progression and balance
ECT years offer support and rapid development. Pay and satisfaction depend on school and subject. Progression to full pay range and TLR roles is common.
What is my annual leave entitlement?
This page does not calculate a leave figure. Teachers use directed time and school holidays instead of a separate leave pot. Always check your contract or school calendar for exact dates.
Disclaimer
This calculator provides illustrative estimates only and is not financial or career advice. Pay rules and allowances can change. Always check your employer or official sources for definitive figures.