To ask the Minister of Education whether he will provide nursery principals with funding to cover principal release time, in line with principals in primary schools.

While nursery schools do not currently receive a specific principal release time allocation, these schools do receive additional funding which can be used to facilitate release time. Nursery schools currently receive a higher 'per pupil' funding rate as a result of the higher Age Weighted Pupil Unit (AWPU) weighting factor of 1.452 as compared to 1.08 for a primary school pupil. The additional funding provides flexibility for nursery principals to use as required, including engaging substitute teaching cover to release time for the principal to carry out administrative duties.

The issue of nursery principal release time has been raised through the Review of Workload Impact on School Leaders and DE officials are engaging with the teachers’ unions regarding this matter.