Anniversary milestones that are reached within the calendar year (1st January to 31 December) will be celebrated at the recognition event in that year. The events are usually held in December. 

The new long service awards (at 15, 35 and 45 years) are only applicable from 2024 and will not be applied retrospectively.

You can choose between a voucher (Love2Shop) or additional annual leave for that leave year only.

If you choose additional annual leave to recognise your long service, the additional amount will be added to your annual leave balance which you will be able to take between the award event and the end of the following annual leave year (April).  

For example, if you choose annual leave in December 2024, you will have until April 2026 to use this additional amount. 

Your additional annual leave will be added to your balance through your Schools/Services Admin teams.  

You will be able to take your additional days between the event date, and the end of the following leave year. 

For example, if you choose annual leave December 2024, you will have until April 2026 to use this additional amount. 

Both annual leave and vouchers are awarded at the recognition event each year.  A special exception applies to this leave, which allows staff to carry over additional annual leave to the next leave year, if they wish. 

Awards are allocated at the recognition events. If a staff member leaves before the recognition event, they will not receive the award.

Staff who select additional annual leave will have the amount added to their leave balance for the rest of the annual leave year. Staff will normally be required to use their annual leave balance before their last day of service.

Additional annual leave can only be carried over to the next annual leave year, in addition to the agreed carry over allowance.

Additional annual leave will be allocated on a pro rata basis for non-standard contracts including part time and compressed hours. 

Once an election has been made for annual leave or a voucher this cannot be changed. This is due to the administrative process for annual leave in Schools/Services and also financial budgets for voucher purchasing.  

There will be a time window in which to consider carefully which option you would prefer.  

Schools and Services Administration teams will be notified of the additional annual leave for eligible staff and this will be added to the leave balance for that year. 

No, this will not be a change to your contract. The additional annual leave is only available for the period specified i.e. from date of award to the end of the following leave year.  

Yes, depending on the specific terms of your contract, if you currently receive an annual leave allowance payment and you opt for the additional leave, this will be calculated for the current leave year i.e. 2024/2025 and an adjustment to your annual leave payment will be made at the end of the leave year.  

If you receive a bookable leave allowance and you opt for additional leave, your balance will be adjusted and you will have until April 2026 to use the additional leave.