DEVOLVED IN-SERVICE BUDGETS

GUIDANCE FOR HEAD TEACHERS

General Criteria

Head Teachers are asked to apply the following criteria when making decisions about allocation of resources from the devolved in-service budget.

1. Spending should be made with due regard to efficiency. The question that should be asked is "Is this activity value for money?".

2. Spending should be effective. "Is spending money in this way really achieving the desired development?".

3. The allocation of the in-service budget should be equitable. That is, all members of staff including itinerant teachers should, in time, benefit from the budget allocation.

It should be noted that it may be necessary to seek a balance between efficiency, effectiveness and equity. There may be occasions for instance when the emphasis is to be placed on effective delivery of a staff development package and the most effective way may not be the most efficient. Alternatively, in one year, the budget may not be distributed equitably although over a number of years this should balance out.

Suitable development activities for spending the devolved in-service allocation

1) Training packages for use in PAT or other times.

2) Tutor fees and costs (travel and accommodation).

3) Teacher travel and accommodation for attending courses.

4) Supply teacher costs to allow teachers to attend courses or training activities, including Career Review.

5) Open University or College distance learning course fees.

6) Centre-based courses during closure days

7) Teacher travel for cluster group activity.

The following activities should not be funded from the in-service budget

1) Supply teacher costs to allow teachers to undertake activities such as school/department development planning, audit and monitoring activities, curriculum planning, requisition, and recording and reporting.

2) Materials that do not form an integral part of the staff development activity.

Spending Priorities

As well as meeting the criteria listed above, spending should be in line with national in-service priorities. These include:

5-14

Raising Standards

Career Review

Management Training

ICT

Primary/Secondary, Pre-school /Primary Liaison

Courses relating to additional teaching qualifications

Cross-curricular matters such as Guidance and Health Education

Pre-5

In responding to requests from individual members of staff, priority should be given to needs identified in the Career Review process.

Spending Profile

Schools should avoid end-loading of in-service budgets. Staff development activities should be planned to take place throughout the year. Severe problems in relation to supply cover are created when a large number of schools decide to leave staff development activities until the end of the financial year and request supply cover at the same time.

Schools are allowed to carry-forward up to 20% or £1000 (whichever is greater) of their allocated budget for in-service.

It is the responsibility of the Head Teacher to ensure that the Council’s Financial Regulations are adhered to.

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