Use the calculator on SpeedAdmin files (enter your contracted teaching hours in the yellow box). This figure will also be on your 1:1 form.

Training should be completed during any teaching hours that are unfulfilled. If your teaching hours are full, online training can count towards your NTDT time.

Yes

See section 4.2 of the staff handbook

See 4.2 in staff handbook found in SpeedAdmin files. There may be activites not mentioned. Please talk to your line manager for any activities outside of this for clarification.

No, this counts as PPA (planning, preparation and assessment) and needs to be completed during your PPA time.

No, this time is included in your contracted hours. See section 4.2 of the staff handbook which references teachers’ pay and conditions.

By undertaking NTDT, you are completing your full contractual obligations, which includes teaching, PPA and non-teaching directed time.

If you are unable to commit to the full requirements of the contracted positions in terms of directed time allocation, there is the option to move over to a casual position. A casual position would mean that you are paid for your teaching contact time only and would not be expected to complete any NTDT hours. Casual staff are expected to plan, assess, complete reports and gradings as these fall within the professional duties of a teacher.

The initial plan for the entire year should be submitted by to your line manager by Friday 26 September 2025.

12 January 2026 music.service@trafford.gov.uk

27 April 2026 music.service@trafford.gov.uk

Final completed sheet – 10 July 2026 music.service@trafford.gov.uk

We are currently finalising the process and will publish this shortly.

When activities have been completed, you should fill in the ‘completed hours’ sheet on your NTDT spreadsheet. If your projected time is now under, you will need to plan in advance to make sure these hours are fulfilled.

No, your timesheet should reflect your contracted teaching hours only. NTDT should be kept separate and should not be duplicated.

No, your NTDT should be roughly spread across the year. This is because some hours need to be saved for mandatory meetings such as whit meetings.

To protect staff wellbeing and working hours during weekends, we generally won’t be using staff for more than 8 hours on concert days.

Your manager and head of service will be reviewing your contract with you to ensure it is manageable and that you can fulfil your contractual obligations.

We recognise that certain ensembles require bespoke parts. Therefore each ensemble leader can choose to use up to a maximum of 4 hours per ensemble per term. Please note that any arrangements you write during this time will be the intellectual property of Trafford Music Service and we will ask for these arrangements to be added to our library to help the service in the future.

You may find additional courses on MeLearning, beyond the mandatory list, that could support your professional development. Please seek approval from your line manager before starting any of these, to ensure the training is relevant to your role. We may approve certain courses as part of your NTDT time.

We’re looking to add more display boards and musical visuals around The Claremont Centre to make the space feel more welcoming and musical. If you have an idea for something you’d like to create, please check with your line manager first, as there may already be plans for that area. If it’s approved, this would be a great use of NTDT.

All staff must wear ID badge and either the new BLACK issued TMS polo shirts or all black tops including socks and shoes

No jeans, leggings, jeggings, jumpsuits, no trainers, flip-flops, open toe shoes, no boots/ugg boots/ugg boot style

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There is no parking at the Stoller Hall but parking is available nearby and discounts are available with the Stoller Hall  (Keep the receipt and then complete a parking claim form; with receipt attached) Please be aware that the venue is close to the MEN Arena so please give yourself enough time to travel and park.  The easiest way to travel is on the metrolink (Sale Waterpark is very accessible for anyone travelling on the motorways) or train as the venue is opposite Victoria Station.

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You can receive an offer for discounted parking with APCOA Printworks car parking when booking in advance via their website, which provides 30% off parking for any length of stay on the day of your visit. This car park has accessible spaces, and there are lifts in the bus station entrance to the car park, and at the Shudehill entrance and these entry/exit points do not involve steps.

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The nearest car park is Q-Park Deansgate North, M3 7WJ, which is a five minute walk from The Stoller Hall, and is open 24/7.

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Times for arrival will be sent out so please ensure that you arrive in good time giving yourself time to park and settle. Please sign in and out on arrival on the sheets at the front desk and the Stoller Hall backstage to ensure your hours are recorded correctly.

All staff will be used for directing students then sat with their allocated ensembles and Leaders on the balcony.  You may be required to help with stage changes if needed.

Instruments: Please bring your instrument if you have been requested to play with an ensemble.

There will be a dressing room for staff to leave personal belongings.

Ensemble leaders must complete their own ensembles dismissal. You must see your students out at reception and observe them meeting their parents. Students are not allowed to leave the venue without ensemble leaders seeing parents are there first.

There is a cafe at the Stoller Hall and a small kitchen but staff are advised to bring their own food/drink due to the quick turnaround between performances.

We will allocate you different concerts to work if you have children in an ensemble.  It is not possible to work and be a parent at the same time, so please let Karen Swales know in advance if you need to work around this.

Staff are not to use their phones around the children. This includes chaperoning to and from the stage.

·       Check music and parts prepared for the Concert and ensure any music is loaded onto the van by Friday evening / Saturday morning.  Alternatively, please take your own music.

·       Bring students to the Concert Hall as soon as you can to get seated in the balcony

·       Ensure any tutor parts and prepared

·       No speaking before your ensemble performs (unfortunately we don’t have time for this with trying to fit lots of ensembles in one concert)

·       Bring back ties to the registration desk after students leave

·       Stay with ensemble from when they sign in to when you dismiss them and then you can leave.

Yes, you will be allocated hours on the day depending on your full-time contracted hours.  If you are part-time and would like to condense your hours to do 1 or 2 days instead, then please speak to your Line Manager.

Please call Karen as early as possible on a concert day or in advance if known.  A full return to work will need to be completed with your Line Manager as it is a working day.