Sixth form college teachers have secured a contractual right to ‘planning time’ following union negotiations. The National Education Union (NEU) said planning, preparation and assessment (PPA) time had been added to sixth form teacher terms and conditions, despite the protection existing in schools since 2005. Schools Week understands that though there will be no set percentage figure, during PPA time teachers should not be asked to carry out other duties and may be able to work away from the college site where appropriate. Other principles the NEU and NASUWT have agreed with the Sixth Form College Association (SFCA) include a “rarely cover” provision and parameters around the use of directed time. Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said the “improvements” would address college workloads which have “steadily ticked upwards” and are a significant driver of the education sector’s retention and recruitment challenges. He added: “New workload principles will go a long way toward ensuring that teacher workloads are fair and balanced, whereas the enshrining of directed time in colleges at a time …