Flexible working
What it is?
Flexible working can be defined as 'arrangements which allow employees to vary the amount, timing, or location of their work'.
It can include the following arrangements:
- Part-time working
- Varied hours
- In-year flexibility
Why?
Schools and multi-academy trusts are encouraged to adopt a flexible working policy which responds to the needs of the staff, and the employer, to address the challenges to flexible working in their school. Employers could consider embedding strategic, whole-school approaches to flexible working, with contribution from all parties.
Benefits
All employers have a legal duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of their staff. This includes minimising the risk of stress-related illness. A clear flexible working policy can form an important part of this duty, especially when integrated with broader staff wellbeing policies.
We know that many schools are already implementing flexible working and responding favourably to requests. As detailed in 'Exploring flexible working practice in schools: interim report, 2019', schools report the following benefits from implementing flexible working:
- retaining experienced staff
- recruiting from a broader pool of teachers
- promoting wellbeing
- improving work-life balance
Offering flexible working arrangements can help to ensure that teaching suits employees at different stages of their life, such as those:
- with caring responsibilities
- planning a phased retirement
- returning from a career break
- combining work in a school with professional development or work in their field of study
How can it work?
There are a number of national case studies on the Flexible Working Schools Padlet, showing how different schools have adopted flexible working for their staff:
Flexible working: resources for teachers and leaders
You will also find information about the Flexible Working Ambassador Multi-Academy Trusts and Schools (FWAMS) who have been appointed by the DfE to support school leaders to implement and embed flexible working int their schools: https://www.flexibleworkingineducation.co.uk/about-fwams
On this web page we will promote examples of different leadership models of flexible working arrangements in schools in Norfolk.
Co-headship in Norfolk:
If you have any examples you would like to share please do contact: karen.hutchison@norfolk.gov.uk or katie.leightell@norfolk.gov.uk
Further information
A padlet of information for recruitment and retention, enabling schools to recruit more diversely, retain teachers, and offer more agile career development opportunities to staff.
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