Department For Education
Flexible working can help recruit and retain teachers, improve staff wellbeing and promote equality in the workforce.
Despite the benefits, there are challenges associated with implementing flexible working in schools.
Flexible working ambassador multi-academy trusts and schools (FWAMS) have beenappointed by DfE to support school leaders in implementing and embedding flexible working in their schools.
FWAMS can offer advice on topics such as:
- designing a flexible working policy
- flexible hiring
- overcoming common challenges such as:
- timetabling
- budgeting
FWAMS can offer bespoke support to:
- multi-academy trusts (MATs)
- mainstream primary schools
- mainstream secondary schools
- special schools
- alternative provision settings and pupil referral units
The table gives the details of the appointed FWAMS, along with their specialism or region.
| School or trust | Specialism or region |
|---|---|
| Abbey School of Nexus Multi-Academy Trust | special schools |
| Charles Dickens Primary School of London South Teaching School | London |
| Harrogate Grammar School of Red Kite Learning Trust | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| Malmesbury School of The Athelstan Trust | south-west |
| Ormiston South Parade Academy of Ormiston Academies Trust | north-west |
| Thomas Gainsborough School of Unity Schools Partnership | East of England |
| Upton Court Grammar School of Pioneer Educational Trust | south-east |
Getting support
Contact Capita via their flexible working in education website to:
- get support from one of the flexible working ambassador multi-academy trusts and schools
- discuss support for regions or specialisms not listed
Training for senior leaders and teachers
Capita Business Services Limited are contracted to oversee delivery of the DfE flexible working programme from 2023 to 2025.
They are working with the ambassador schools and MATs to deliver a programme aimed at supporting schools and trusts to implement flexible working practices.As part of this, they will deliver a national programme of free workshops and webinars. These will cover topics such as:
- the benefits of flexible working
- co-headship and applying and working as a job share
- supporting equality of opportunity and diversity through flexible working
- overcoming barriers to flexible working
You can find out more or book a place on a training webinar at Capitas flexible working in education website.