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
Join Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensive
Shane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.
You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com
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Education Leaders