Flexible working in schools has many benefits. It can:

• help recruit and retain teachers
• improve staff wellbeing
• promote equality in the workforce

The Department for Education (DfE) recognises the challenges of implementing flexible working. We have:

• published a practical toolkit of resources to provide support
• appointed ambassador schools and multi-academy trusts (MATs) to support school leaders
• contractedextended a contract with Capita to deliver webinars and oversee the flexible working programme fromuntil 2023 to 20252026

Flexible working toolkit

PracticalThe toolkit includes practical resources for school leaders, trust leaders and teachers to help implement flexible working. TheIt toolkit was produced by subject experts (PDF, 104 KB, 2 pages) including school leaders, other sector experts and DfE.

Use the toolkit to:

• increase your understanding and awareness of flexible working in schools, including its benefits
• develop and implement a flexible working policy, strategic approach and effective practice
• help staff request flexible working

The toolkit has been designed for use in all schools and settingssettings, including:

• special schools
• alternative provision
• pupil referral units and trusts

The toolkit may also be useful for other settings if adapted for use, including:

• sixth-form colleges
• further education colleges
• other providers

Flexible working ambassador multi-academy trusts and schools

Flexible working ambassador multi-academy trusts and schools (FWAMS) offer advice and practical support to school leaders to improve flexible working in their schools.

Flexible working support can help with:

• designing a flexible working policy
• flexible hiring
• overcoming common challenges such as:
  • timetabling
  • budgeting

Settings that can access FWAMS

Bespoke support is available to:

• MATs
• mainstream primary schools
• mainstream secondary schools
• special schools
• alternative provision settings and pupil referral units
• high disadvantage schools (where high proportions of pupils are eligible for the deprivation pupil premium)

Regional and specialist FWAMS

School or MAT	Specialism or region
Abbey School of Nexus Multi-Academy Trust	Special schools
Aspire AP School of Aspire Schools Trust	Alternative provision settings and pupil referral units
Charles Dickens Primary School of London South Teaching School	London
Harrogate Grammar School of Red Kite Learning Trust	Yorkshire and the Humber
Lapal Primary School of Hales Valley Trust	EastWest Midlands
Malmesbury School of The Athelstan Trust	South West
Reach Academy Feltham of Reach Academy Trust	High disadvantage schools
The Halifax Academy of Impact Education Multi Academy Trust	High disadvantage schools
Thomas Gainsborough School of Unity Schools Partnership	East of England
Upton Court Grammar School of Pioneer Educational Trust	South East

The Capita website containsprovides further information, including how to get support from one of the FWAMS, or discuss support for regions or specialisms not listed.

Training Capita can provide

Capita is working with FWAMS to deliver a national programme of free workshops and webinars for school leaders and teachers on:

• 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

Contact

Email Capita at Flexibleworkingineducation@capita.com to:

• book a place on a workshop or webinar
• get support from one of the FWAMS
• discuss support for regions or specialisms not listed