Teachers' Rights in Wales

Who this guide is for

Teachers in maintained schools in Wales. It also says what is different if you teach in an independent school in Wales.

What this guide does not cover

• Teachers in England, Scotland or Northern Ireland: see Teachers' Rights in England, Teachers' Rights in Scotland or Teachers' Rights in Northern Ireland.
• Teaching assistants and other support staff: use Your Rights as an Employee in England, Wales and Scotland.
• Further education lecturers.
• General employment rights: see Your Rights as an Employee in England, Wales and Scotland.
• Whistleblowing in detail: see Whistleblowing at Work in England, Wales and Scotland.
• Leadership pay and allowances in detail. Ask your union or check the Welsh pay and conditions document.

What the rules depend on

1. Do you work in a maintained school? The Welsh pay and conditions document applies. In an independent school, your contract decides.
2. Are you full-time or part-time? Part-time pay and hours are pro rata.
3. Are you newly qualified? Then induction rules apply.
4. When did the thing you are complaining about happen? That date decides your tribunal time limit.

"How is my pay set?"

Pay and conditions for school teachers in Wales were devolved in 2018. The Welsh Government sets them after a report from the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body, and they take legal effect through an Order and the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions (Wales) Document.

On 14 October 2026 the Welsh Government announced the 2026/27 award: 3.5% on teachers' and school leaders' pay scales and 5% on the unqualified teachers' pay scale, backdated to 1 September 2026. It said the new document and Order would be published shortly after. Until the new document is published, this guide does not give the new pay figures.

The current document applies to teachers in maintained schools employed by a local authority, or by the governing body of a foundation, voluntary aided or foundation special school.

"How many hours do I have to work?"

A full-time teacher must be available for work on 195 days a year. On 190 of those days you may be asked to teach pupils and do other duties. You must be available for 1,265 hours a year, allocated reasonably across those days.

The Welsh document also says:

• No teacher may be required to work on any Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, unless their contract expressly provides for it.
• If you work more than one session, you must get one break of reasonable length, either between sessions or between 12 noon and 2pm.
• You should provide cover only rarely, and only in circumstances that are not foreseeable.
• You should not be required routinely to do administrative, clerical and organisational tasks.
• Governing bodies and headteachers must have regard to a satisfactory balance between your work and your life outside work.

"Do I get PPA time?"

Yes. PPA time must be at least 10% of your timetabled teaching time.

"Do I need to register with the EWC?"

Yes. It is a legal requirement, on both you and your employer, that you are registered with the Education Workforce Council in the right category (such as school teacher) before you start work.

The EWC deals with fitness to practise. If your employer dismisses you, or you leave in circumstances where you might otherwise have been dismissed, your employer has a legal duty to tell the EWC. The EWC publishes a Code of Professional Conduct and Practice that registered staff are expected to follow.

"What about induction?"

Newly qualified teachers in Wales must register with the EWC as a school teacher before induction starts. Induction lasts three school terms or the equivalent (380 sessions). It can be shortened if you meet the standards sooner, but never to less than one term.

"What about my pension and allegations?"

The Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) covers teachers in England and Wales. For most employers in the scheme, taking part is compulsory, but independent schools can leave it. Ask your employer whether your job is in it.

If a pupil at your school accuses you of a criminal offence, the law stops anyone publishing anything likely to identify you as the teacher accused, until criminal proceedings start. This applies in England and Wales.

You have the same protection from discrimination and for whistleblowing as any employee: see Whistleblowing at Work in England, Wales and Scotland.

Deadlines you must meet

• Most employment tribunal claims: 3 months less 1 day from the act you are complaining about. It is 6 months less 1 day only where that act (or the last act in a series) happened on or after 1 October 2026.
• Notify Acas within your time limit. Early conciliation pauses the clock.
• Your exact tribunal date depends on your facts. See our tribunal deadline guide.

Money figures

• 2026/27: the Welsh Government has announced a 3.5% rise to teachers' and leaders' pay scales and 5% to the unqualified teachers' scale, to be backdated to 1 September 2026. The new pay scales had not been published when this guide was written.

Traps

• Do not use the England pay ranges in Wales. Wales has its own document and its own scales.
• Do not use England's two-year ECT induction in Wales. Induction here is three school terms or the equivalent.
• The Teaching Regulation Agency covers England. In Wales, fitness to practise goes to the EWC.
• Academies are an England arrangement. In Wales, the pay document covers maintained schools; independent schools follow your contract.
• Do not use the 6-month tribunal limit for an act that happened before 1 October 2026.