NASUWT has published a clear action instruction on lunchtime supervision.

Instruction 22 says that members should refuse to undertake supervision of pupils during the lunch break.

Teachers are entitled to a daily break of a reasonable length either between school sessions or between the hours of 12 noon and 2.00pm.

This provision is found in paragraph 54.3 of the STPCD 2015.

Teaching is a very challenging and intensive activity and this provision was introduced to ensure that there was an opportunity to take a break during the working day.

A break of reasonable length for the purposes of this instruction is the current lunch break at the school.

Members should not undertake any supervision of pupils during the lunch break, unless they have entered into a second contract outside the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document provisions to do so. The NASUWT recommends that members do not enter into such contracts.

Whilst the NASUWT does not recommend that members carry out voluntary, extracurricular activities during the lunch break, this instruction does not preclude these continuing. (See the section on voluntary activities on page 18 of this guidance.)