How much PPA time do teachers get?
Updated 31 Oct 2026 · Reviewed by School Jobs UK
Short answer
Teachers in maintained schools in England must get at least 10% of their timetabled teaching time as planning, preparation and assessment (PPA) time. It must be during the school day and in blocks of at least half an hour. Early career teachers get extra non-contact time on top.
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Key facts
- Minimum PPA: 10% of timetabled teaching time
- Blocks: at least 30 minutes
- When: during the school day
- ECTs: 10% less teaching in year 1 and 5% in year 2, on top of PPA
- Set out in: the STPCD
Worked examples
| Timetabled teaching a week | Minimum PPA a week |
|---|---|
| 25 hours (full-time primary) | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| 22.5 hours | 2 hours 15 minutes |
| 20 hours | 2 hours |
| 15 hours (part-time) | 1 hour 30 minutes |
Many schools give PPA as an afternoon a fortnight or a weekly block.
Part-time teachers
PPA is based on your timetabled teaching, so part-time teachers get it in proportion.
Early career teachers
On top of normal PPA, ECTs get a reduced timetable: 10% less teaching than other teachers in their first year and 5% less in their second, for induction activities and mentoring.
Who covers classes during PPA?
In primary schools, PPA is often covered by HLTAs, cover supervisors or specialist teachers (e.g. PE or music). That's why many HLTA and cover supervisor jobs mention "PPA cover".
Academies
Academies can set their own terms, but most give similar PPA. Check your contract.
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Frequently asked questions
Can PPA be cancelled?
It should be protected; if it's regularly lost, raise it with your school or union.
Can I do PPA at home?
Some schools allow it; PPA is guaranteed time, not a fixed place.
Do teaching assistants get PPA?
No, PPA is a teacher entitlement, though TAs may have planning time set by their school.
Sources
Related answers
What is directed time?
Directed time is the time a headteacher can direct a teacher to be at work and doing specific tasks: up to 1,265 hours a year across 195 days for a full-time teacher in a maintained school. It includes teaching, meetings, parents' evenings and training days, but not planning or marking done outside those hours.
How many days and hours do teachers work a year?
Full-time teachers in maintained schools in England work 195 days a year: 190 days teaching pupils and 5 training (INSET) days. Within those days, a headteacher can direct them for up to 1,265 hours. Teachers also do work outside those hours, such as planning and marking, so their real working week is longer.