Education Leaders
Can schools do flexible work? A Conversation with Neil Renton & Julie Wellacott
Apr 1, 2025
Neil Renton, headteacher at Harrogate Grammar School and author, joins HR Director Julie Wellacott to delve into flexible working in education. They discuss how giving teachers control over their hours and workload can enhance retention. Neil shares how his school has embraced 'part-timeness' for 50 educators. The duo also emphasizes the need for supportive school cultures and highlights 'reason-neutral' approaches to flexibility. Their insights illustrate that small changes can foster significant shifts in teacher well-being and job satisfaction.
31:53
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Quick takeaways
- Flexible working in schools extends beyond part-time hours to include location and scheduling flexibility, enhancing teacher engagement.
- Creating a supportive culture for flexibility requires intentional strategies from leaders to foster open dialogue and understanding among staff.
Deep dives
The Transformation of Flexible Working in Education
Flexible working is redefining how teachers engage in their roles, offering them more control over when, how much, and where they work. This shift involves various dimensions of flexibility, including options for part-time work, remote planning, and altered schedules. Recent initiatives in the UK allow teachers to perform designated planning and assessment time off-site, which represents a significant cultural shift in educational institutions. The discussion emphasizes the need for a new mindset among school leaders to accommodate these changes, allowing for a supportive environment where staff can balance professional obligations with personal needs.
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