Term-time staff don’t book holiday like all-year staff. You take it in the school holidays, and it’s built into your salary. But how much is it actually worth?
Three levels of holiday
There are three common levels, and the term-time pay calculator lets you choose between them:
| Entitlement | Full-time, all-year leave | Term-time holiday weeks (39-week contract) |
|---|---|---|
| Statutory minimum (part-year worker) | 5.6 weeks / 28 days | 4.71 (12.07% of weeks worked) |
| Green Book, under 5 years’ service | 33 days (23 + 8 + 2) | 5.65 |
| Green Book, 5+ years’ service | 36 days (26 + 8 + 2) | 6.25 |
How term-time holiday is pro-rated
A full-time colleague with 33 days’ leave (6.6 weeks) works 52.143 − 6.6 = 45.543 weeks. You work 39 of those weeks, so you get the same proportion of their leave:
39 × 6.6 ÷ 45.543 = 5.652 weeks
This is the method in the NJC Green Book’s term-time guidance (Part 4.12). It gives you the same holiday for each week worked as a full-time colleague.
The Green Book: 23 days, rising to 26
Since 1 April 2023, the Green Book minimum has been 23 days’ annual leave, rising to 26 after 5 years’ continuous service, plus 8 public holidays and 2 extra-statutory days. Earlier versions gave 22 and 25 days plus 3 extra days, so older documents may show different figures.
Many councils give more than the Green Book minimum, for example extra days for long service. If yours does, choose Custom in the calculator and enter your full-time leave in days.
The legal minimum
Every worker in Great Britain is entitled to at least 5.6 weeks of paid holiday a year, capped at 28 days. For part-year workers, the minimum is worked out as 12.07% of hours worked, which for a 39-week contract is about 4.71 weeks. See what is 12.07% holiday pay?
If you’re not a part-year worker, the full 5.6 weeks applies. See are term-time staff part-year workers?
Holiday records
From 6 April 2026, employers must keep records showing they have given workers their holiday entitlement and holiday pay, and keep them for 6 years. This was introduced by the Employment Rights Act 2025. It doesn’t change how much holiday you get, but it should make it easier to check.
Academies, Scotland and Northern Ireland
- Academies don’t have to follow the Green Book, though most do. Check your contract.
- Scotland: council staff are on SJC terms, which have their own leave rules.
- Northern Ireland is not covered by this site, as its holiday rules for part-year workers differ.