Overview
Professional Practice days provide teachers with release from their scheduled duties (all duties which would have been otherwise scheduled, including teaching) to focus on the improved delivery of high quality teaching and learning.
The Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2022 provides teachers with one professional practice day each year.
Professional Practice days are pro rata for a teacher employed part-time. For example, a teacher who works at a time fraction of 0.5 FTE is entitled to half a day per year. Professional Practice days are not pupil (student) free days, unless it is scheduled as a common day for all teachers as outlined below.
The work undertaken on these days will be consistent with departmental and school priorities and selected from the following areas:
- planning
- preparation
- assessment of student learning
- collaboration
- curriculum development
- relevant professional development
- peer observation including feedback and reflection
The timing and focus of the day for each teacher will be nominated by the teacher and be agreed in consultation with the principal. Where the timing and, or focus are not agreed the timing will be determined by the principal and the focus of the day will be determined by the teacher and must be consistent with the focus areas set out above.
Schools may hold the professional practice day on the same day for all teachers. Where it has been determined this will occur, the professional practice day can be a pupil (student) free day, subject to the school council scheduling a pupil (student) free day for this purpose.
The professional practice day for teachers does not alter the attendance requirements for education support employees. Principals are encouraged to discuss the work arrangements for education support staff on professional practice days in advance.
For further information on professional practice elements, refer to the Resources tab.
Related policies
Relevant legislation
- Delegations
- Industrial Agreements
- Industrial Awards
- Legislation — Employment Topics
- Ministerial Orders — Employment
Contact information
Reviewed 19 April 2024