Can schools do flexible work?
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In this episode, I speak with Neil Renton, headteacher, and Julie Wellacott, HR professional, who are pioneering flexible working approaches in UK schools through their work as Flexible Working Ambassadors.
Episode Highlights:
What is flexible working? Giving teachers greater control over how much, when, and where they work
How Neil's school has transformed to employ 50 teachers with some form of "part-timeness"
The mindset shift required from school leaders to embrace flexibility
Why "reason-neutral" approaches prevent bias when considering flexible working requests
Simple starting points for leaders wanting to explore flexible working options
Research showing that one-fifth of teachers who leave the profession move to part-time roles outside education
How flexible arrangements like sabbaticals and phased retirement help retain experienced educators
Creating a school culture where staff feel comfortable requesting flexibility
Key Takeaways:
Flexible working isn't just about part-time hours - it encompasses location, scheduling, and workload
The cultural shift required is substantial but pays dividends in retention and teacher wellbeing
Small, incremental changes can make a significant difference to individual teachers
Start with an honest assessment of your school's current approach to flexibility
Both research evidence and individual stories can help persuade reluctant leaders
Links Mentioned:
Episode Partner
The International Curriculum Association: Learn more
Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on LinkedIn and Bluesky. My email address is shane@shaneleaning.com.
