Document Templates

Staff Handbook 2026/27

Detailed overview

An editable staff handbook for 2026/27, written around what staff need to do, who to tell and where to record it. You complete it for your school and present it to staff as your own document.

What's inside

One Word document of about 50 pages, in six parts plus appendices:

  • Part 1, Before you start: what we are here for, what to read before your first day (including KCSIE 2026 Part one), who does what, and the line you do not cross (phones, social media, dress, confidentiality)
  • Part 2, Every day: your day from arrival to home time, teaching, knowing your pupils, and talking to families
  • Part 3, When a child might be at risk: the first ten minutes, what to notice, harm between children, concerns about an adult, and absence as a warning sign
  • Part 4, When something goes wrong: behaviour, illness, injury and allergy, fire and lockdown, and mistakes and complaints
  • Part 5, When you need something: time off and cover, trips and visitors, money and equipment, technology, AI and data, and support and development
  • Part 6, Keeping this true: what changed for 2026/27, a register of details that go out of date, and a contact sheet
  • Appendices: an emergency card, inclusive teaching by area of need, an induction checklist, a room safety card, a verification log and references, and a staff acknowledgement form

Square brackets mark the decisions your school needs to make, and phase notes show where practice differs between primary, secondary, special and post-16.

Format: one editable Word document, delivered as a digital download.

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