CASTLEMAN ACADEMY TRUST

Transcription

1 CASTLEMAN ACADEMY TRUST POLICY : Qualification Training Author: Executive Head Teacher Date: November 2017 Review Body: Human Resources Committee Date Adopted: 9 th November, 2017 Review Date: Spring 2019

2 CASTLEMAN ACADEMY TRUST Qualifications Training Policy Introduction The Castleman Academy Trust actively seeks to support employees to undertake nationally recognised qualification training and education that is relevant to their post. This Policy applies to all employees whether full-time or part-time, in all occupational groups. Qualifications training is seen as one way of investing in the development of the personal qualities, skills, expertise and knowledge of our employees to enable them to undertake their job roles more effectively and efficiently. Whilst the Trust is committed to supporting further training and education, the financial level of support will be dependent on the type of qualification and the financial viability of the Trust at the time of the application. In return for this investment in their training and education, the Trust would expect employees to show a conscientious attitude towards their studies. Progress would be monitored by their Line Manager. Where an employee, without good reason, fails to show satisfactory progress in his/her studies, or discontinues the course, financial assistance will be withdrawn and the individual will may be required to repay all costs associated with the course. Identifying Training Needs The requirement to undertake qualifications training will be identified through discussion of training needs between the Headteacher/Appraiser and post holder and should form part of the Appraisal process. Personal development may also be identified through the Appraisal process. It is important that the qualification being undertaken is directly relevant to the work the post holder performs and it relates to the business needs of the School. The qualification could also support the post holder in being able to demonstrate skills and knowledge for future career progression within the Trust. The costs of the training must be discussed with the Headteacher, who will consult the Finance Manager and/or CEO before any agreement is made. If access to this funding is not agreed by the Trust, you may wish to consider applying for the Salary Sacrifice Scheme to support professional training. See the HR & Operations Director for further information. Location An employee who enters the Trust s service part way through an academic year may be given permission, if appropriate, to continue their studies by the Trust and complete the year of their course of studies within the existing establishment. Method Of Study The chosen method of study may be one of the following (although this list is not exhaustive): Full Time CAT 1.17 Qualification Training Policy Page 2 of 8

3 Day Release Day Release/Evening Evening Block Release/Sandwich Correspondence/distance learning/private study Work based assessment Competency based training/nvq (National Vocational Qualification) Open University Courses Employees attending courses which include a residential element must notify the Headteacher when applying for the course and include the details in the Financial Assistance - Form of Undertaking. This could have an impact on the day to day running of the school and this must be considered before agreement. Repayment/Recovery of Training Expenses As part of the Trust s investment in training, employees are required to sign and complete a Form of Undertaking, if they are going to receive financial assistance towards their qualifications training & expenses. This training repayment contribution may also be applied by the Trust for high cost training that benefits an employees potential future career progression. Employees will be expected to make a contribution towards the cost of the approved qualification training. The form must be signed by the employee and by the Headteacher on approval of qualification training. Employees are encouraged to read this form carefully before signing. In most circumstances the Trust will require repayment of financial assistance towards training expenses based on the following criteria: Voluntarily leaving the Trust within two years of securing the qualification or part qualification including leaving to take up other employment. Voluntarily leaving before completing the course Failing to sit the examination(s) within a reasonable period of time Withdrawing from the course due to unsatisfactory progress Discontinuing or failing to complete the course of study Only in exceptional cases/extenuating circumstances could full repayment not be considered. All fees and expenses (as detailed on Form of Undertaking) paid by the Trust based on the following criteria will need to be repaid by the employees should they leave the service of the Trust: During the period of study or during the 12 months following the date of qualification/ or part qualification - 100% of any expenses/financial assistance paid During the second year (between the 13 month and 24 month) following the date of qualification - 50% of any expenses/financial assistance paid Repayment equally applies if leaving the Trust to join another employer or associated employer. CAT 1.17 Qualification Training Policy Page 3 of 8

4 The sum to be repaid will be deducted from any accrued salary, any outstanding balance will be invoiced to be paid by the dates stated or otherwise agreed by the Trust. If the money is not paid it will be recovered as a debt. Attendance at the course of study Payment for attendance at the course will normally be up to the limit of the employee s standard daily working hours. Course attendance including travelling out of normal working hours will be in an employee s own time. No time off in lieu or other allowance will be made. However, where a part-time employee is required to attend a course in connection with their duties, they will receive the same paid leave as a full-time employee would if attending the same course. Examination Leave The period of leave will cover the duration of the examinations and include any necessary travelling time up to the limit of the employee s standard working hours. Other Leave The Head Teacher has the discretion to allow up to 5 days paid leave to support completion of tuition. This may be for revision before an examination (the minimum to be given should be equivalent to time spent taking the examination), or compilation of an NVQ portfolio or some other activity or project work required to achieve the qualification. Headteachers will have to take into consideration the disruption to learning that may occur due to leave. Absences Any absences from the course are treated as absences from work as follows: If the employee is on sick leave - they must notify their line manager in accordance with the sickness absence procedure They must have obtained in advance, permission from their Head Teacher to be absent from the course (e.g. holiday, personal reasons) Absence for any other reason may result in disciplinary action being taken. If an employee is absent, for whatever reason, they must notify their line manager. Expenses The following allowances for training expenses may generally be reclaimed from the Trust. In all cases, employees are required to sign and complete a Form of Undertaking to receive financial assistance. CAT 1.17 Qualification Training Policy Page 4 of 8

5 Course Fees Tuition, registration, examination (for first attempt only), exemption fees and professional interview costs will be paid for all approved courses. This includes the payment of residential fees where they form part of the requirement of the course. Annual Subscriptions The annual membership subscription of a technical or professional organisation may be paid only where it is a requirement to hold membership in order to take any qualifying examinations. This should be discussed with the Headteacher in the first instance. Subscriptions will only be paid during the period of academic studies. They will not be paid after the academic qualification has been achieved and where practical experience has to be acquired in order to achieve full corporate membership. Subscriptions will not be paid for an individual who is repeating any year of study in order to re-sit an examination. Examination - resits Examination fees and expenses are paid for the first attempt only at each stage, of the qualification. Text Books The cost of text books to support the course will not be met. Sitting Examinations Leave with pay will be granted to enable employees to sit approved examinations. This includes the time of the examination and any necessary travelling time. Where it is unreasonable for an employee to travel the day of the examination, an overnight stay may be approved in advance. This also applies to employees who may have to make a return journey between examinations taking place on consecutive days. An overnight stay may also be approved in advance for employees sitting professional interviews/test of competence or associated final examination in order to gain full membership of a recognised professional/technical body. Teaching Qualifications The introduction of less traditional routes into Qualified Teacher Status have led to more teachers qualifying on the job. The Trust recognises the benefits of training staff in this way. The Trust will support staff members to prepare for assessment events e.g. leave to prepare portfolios, visits to schools, mentoring support. The cost for Fast Track routes into teaching CAT 1.17 Qualification Training Policy Page 5 of 8

6 must be met by the Trainee. The Trust can provide financial support where there are cases of hardship. This should be discussed with the Headteacher in the first instance. Travelling Expenses All employees must use the cheapest form of transport, especially for journeys outside the Borough of Poole and ensure that claims comply with the Policy on Conditions applicable to Travel and Subsistence Allowances. Car sharing in line with the Trust s travel-wise policy is encouraged. This includes any subsidised rail fares that are available (e.g. student/young persons rail card). All employees must ensure their proposed travelling arrangements are approved with their Line Manager before making a journey. All travel and subsistence expenditure claims must be accompanied by appropriate receipts. If employees use their car or motorbike, they must ensure that their insurance covers using their vehicle on official business. Passengers should check likewise. Projects/visits/placements/work experience Expenses incurred during practical training as a pre-requisite of the course, production of projects requiring the purchase of materials, visits, may in some circumstances be claimed. Approval should be sought in advance through the employee s Line Manager in conjunction with their Head Teacher. Health & Safety Employees are required by law to take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Where you are placed for your study will have a Health & Safety Policy which they will have to comply with. If employees attend a class held in a college workshop or attend an establishment or work placement then they may be required to wear suitable clothing and footwear (e.g. safety shoes), otherwise they may be excluded from attending. Provision of protective clothing will be in accordance with the Trust s Health & Safety Policy. Equality Impact Assessment This policy has been reviewed with the equality impact considerations as laid down in the trust s Equality Policy. CAT 1.17 Qualification Training Policy Page 6 of 8

7 APPLICATION FOR POST ENTRY QUALIFICATION TRAINING Financial Assistance - Form of Undertaking PART 1 NAME JOB TITLE BASE SCHOOL Qualification Title: Name & Address of Course/Training Provider: Type of Study: (Please tick as appropriate) Dates of Examinations: Day Release Private Study Half Day Release Self Study START DATE: COMPLETION DATE: Evening Block NO OF YEARS OF STUDY: I wish to apply for FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE from the Trust towards the above qualification. I detail below costs/estimated costs. Tuition Fees Examination Fees (first attempt only) Registration Fees Residential Fees Project Fees Summer School Membership Fee Site Visits Travel & Subsistence Other Costs - please detail TOTAL ESTIMATED COSTS Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 p Please give details of any financial assistance you will be making towards the achievement of this qualification. Details & Costs Copies to: Head Teacher Trust Board Employee CAT 1.17 Qualification Training Policy Page 7 of 8

8 Form of Undertaking Please refer to Section 5 of the Qualification Training Policy before signing. PART 2 In consideration of the Council granting me financial assistance, I agree to the following conditions: 1. I undertake not to leave the service of the Castleman Academy Trust for a period of two years from the date on which I achieve the qualification and/or part of the qualification. 2. If I fail to honour this obligation I will, on request, refund to the Trust 100% of the financial assistance received in the event of my leaving the Trust within the first year, or 50% if within the second year of the period specified above. I agree that any amount due from me to the Trust can be deducted from any accrued salary or wages or other monies due to me from the Trust without any prejudice to the Trust s other rights to recover any amount due. I understand I will be invoiced for any outstanding balance to be paid by the dates stated or otherwise agreed by the Trust. If the money is not paid it will be recovered as a debt. 3. I agree to maintain satisfactory progress on the course and understand that this will be monitored by the base school, with support from the Executive Headteacher. 4. I understand that I am expected to achieve the qualification within the time scale agreed above, unless there are exceptional circumstances preventing this. Therefore I will be required to refund the whole of the financial assistance received based on the following criteria if: a) Voluntarily leaving the Trust within the two years of securing the qualification; b) Voluntarily leaving before completing the course; c) Failing to sit the examination(s) within a reasonable period of time; d) Withdrawing from the course due to unsatisfactory progress; e) Discontinuing or failing to complete the course of study. f) Please note only in exceptional cases/extenuating circumstances could full repayment not be considered. NOTE: This form must be signed by yourself and by your Head Teacher on approval. Signed: Dated: Full Name: Base School:. Head Teacher: HEAD TEACHER S SIGNATURE: EXEC HEAD S SIGNATURE:... Dated: Dated: Dated:..