Circular 11/2025 - Primary Staffing Schedule & SET Allocation 25/26

⭐ Key Points ⭐

• Mainstream class size staying at 23:1 for the 3rd year running. No changes to mainstream staffing schedule (Appendix A).
• No change to numbers for Admin P or DP (Appendix B)
• SET reviewed and changes made. Same criteria as last year. No change to model to include complex needs, developing schools or any other controversial parts of the model from 24/25. (Appendix C). School will receive a breakdown of their allocation based on each pillar of the model; enrolment, standardised tests and educational disadvantage.
• All SET clusters end in June and need to be reformed, even if no changes in allocation. SET cluster form at Appendix D.
• Where a school gains a mainstream teaching post due to numbers but doesn't have a classroom for them, they can be used as a SET.

⭐ Key Dates⭐

Take note of dates as they have changed for EAL applications and Projected Enrolment applications.

11th March deadline

• Notify panel operator of permanent or fixed term jobs
• Main panel/redeployment application forms
• SET cluster forms 
• Principal release cluster forms
• CID applications
• Current CID declaration form
• Staffing appeals (other than EAL)

18th March - 1st May

Application for EAL support for 25/26 - PrimEAL form 

This applies in two circumstances

• New Entrant: Where schools have pupils with EAL needs who have arrived in the country within the last 24 months.
• Non New Entrant: Where the school has a high concentration of EAL (20%+ of school population) with under a B1 standard and less than 3 years support.
• All other EAL pupils in schools fall under SET.
• Form is absolutely painful. Give it lots of time.

Later

• Projected Enrolment posts can be applied for after 1st May using this form. To qualify you must hit the appointment number+5 as well as having a total increase of 15 pupils if 6 mainstream teachers or under 23 pupils if 7 teachers or more in the school.
• Main panel to be released after Easter.
• CID application results (usually 6 weeks or so).
• Appeal Board meets in March, June and October.
• Supply panels will continue, numbers to be confirmed later in year.

⭐Contents of Circular⭐

• Section 1: Staffing Arrangements
• Section 2: Background Details
• Section 3 Redeployment 
• Section 4: Staffing Appeals

⭐Appendices⭐

• A: Staffing Schedule
• B: Enrolment thresholds for Admin Principal & Deputy
• C: SET Allocation
• D: SET Cluster Form
• E: Redeployment Form (Main Panel)
• F (a-g): Appeal Forms
  • Exceptional Accommodation Difficulties
  • October 23 Enrolment
  • Projected enrolment after October 25 
  • EAL (if unhappy after Prim EAL application)
  • Small Schools
  • Losing 3 or more posts
  • Pressure on Infant Classes in areas of demographic growth
• G: CID Declaration Form
• H: CID Application Form

Relevant Links:

• Circular 11/2025, Appendices & Forms
• FAQs on Circular 11/2025
• FAQs on Redeployment
• EAL appeal form 25/26
• Mid-year 25/26 EAL New Entrants
• Projected Enrolment Application form
• Panel Update Form
• Principal Release Cluster Form