This article is based on GOV.UK guidance on the right to time off work for public duties, the Employment Rights Act 1996, section 4.9 of the maintained schools governance guide.
The rules
According to government guidance on the the right to time off work for public duties, an employee can get a "reasonable" amount of time off if they're:
- A school governor
- A member of the managing or governing body of an educational establishment
This time off:
- Is to fulfil your governance duties, including attending meetings
- May be given with pay, but your employer doesn't have to agree to this
- Is in addition to the employee's usual holiday entitlement
The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) told us this applies to both maintained schools and academies.
A specific amount of time off is not laid down in law. The employee and employer should agree beforehand on what's "reasonable"