Normally, your timetable will be organised so that you are teaching the same classes at the same time each week, but as each term progresses so will the content of your lessons, ensuring that no two weeks are the same.
Government guidelines suggests that children should be taught for a certain number of hours a week, depending on their age:
- 21 hours for pupils aged between 5 and 7 (key stage 1)
- 23.5 hours for pupils aged between 8 and 11 (key stage 2)
- 24 hours for pupils aged between 12 and 13 (key stage 3)
- 25 hours for pupils aged between 14 and 16 (key stage 4).
Of course these aren't the total number of hours you'll work. In addition to lesson time, your week may include break-time duties, registration and collective activities, such as worship and assembly, as well as time spent on other essential tasks and responsibilities.
As a newly qualified teacher, a reduced timetable will give you extra time to work on your transition into teaching, and as of September 2005 all teachers will have 10 per cent of their time allocated to planning, preparation and assessment.