Get help with flexible working in schools

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
• developedappointed resourcesambassador asschools partand ofmulti-academy thetrusts flexible(MATs) workingto ambassadorsupport multi-academyschool trustsleaders
• extended anda schoolscontract (FWAMS)with programmeCapita (2023 to 2026)deliver towebinars supportand schoolsoversee the flexible working programme until 2026

Flexible working toolkit

The toolkit includes practical resources for school leaders, trust leaders and teachers to help implement flexible working. It 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 settings, 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
• earlyother years settingsproviders

Flexible working resourcesambassador multi-academy trusts and schools

AFlexible rangeworking ofambassador resourcesmulti-academy trusts and schools (FWAMS), developedoffer asadvice partand 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

The Capita website provides further information, including how to get support from one of the FWAMS, or discuss support for schools.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