Public sector

Public sector

This topic provides guidance on some of the key employment issues that may be encountered when advising employers and employees in the public sector.

Education

According to the Office for National Statistics, in March 2024, the number of people in employment in public sector education was 1.499 million.

The pay and the other terms and conditions of employment of teachers at maintained schools (but not at academy schools) are governed by Part 8 of the Education Act 2002 (EA 2002) as amended by the Education Act 2011 (EA 2011) and the statutory School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions document, which is altered and reissued about once a year (see: School teachers' pay and conditions).

Practice Note: Teachers and staff in maintained schools explains that depending on the type of school, the employer of the school’s teaching and non-teaching staff will be the local authority, or the school governing body, or the corporation which runs the school. The Practice Note also examines:

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how the performance of teachers at maintained schools is appraised
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qualification requirements
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staff at faith schools
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safeguarding requirements

Teachers and

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