Dixons Academies Trust’s Post

According to NFER analysis of 2020 Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings data, approximately a fifth of full-time teachers who left teaching transitioned into part-time work. Flexibility matters! In 2018, research on teacher retention highlighted flexible working as a positive solution. Let’s celebrate ex-teachers who continue to contribute while enjoying work-life balance. Watch our webinar recordings: Flexible working: helping to recruit and retain staff - https://lnkd.in/eNx_GkfE Using flexible working to attract and retain local talent (particularly in areas that experience a high level of disadvantage) - https://lnkd.in/eipjt2Sn #Education #Flexibility #WorkLifeBalance #FlexibleWorking

Liz provides such thoughtful, informed, digests of information it's too easy for us to miss. This ones about the financial, and wellbeing, impacts of flexible working - including leadership.

How can schools think differently about flexible working to make it a reality for their staff? In our blog, Dan Morrow shares how and why the education sector needs to think about flexibility as a key part of its recruitment and wellbeing strategy: https://hubs.li/Q02Xj_jR0 #FlexibleWorking #Education #Recruitment

Facing challenges in teacher retention and recruitment? You're not alone. Recent stats show a stark reality, with only 68.7% of teachers staying in the profession after 5 years. But there's hope, and it starts with flexibility. Join our webinar on 18th April at 10:00, where we are joined by the esteemed Emily Crow of the London Teaching School Hub/Charles Dickens Primary School. What to expect: How promoting flexible working can build your employer brand and support your People Strategy - Changes in Flexible Working legislation – April 2024 - Examples of best practice that can make a difference - Practical steps /initiatives you can put in place - Insight into how the Flexible Working Ambassador MATs & Schools can support you Time Register your place here: https://lnkd.in/eHdTEqpR

Flexible working in schools is a topic I've been following over several years. So I was keen to see what wave 3 of the DfE survey into 'Working lives of teachers and leaders' had to say about prevalence and attitudes towards it. While the survey found that nearly half (46%) of teachers and leaders had a flexible working arrangement in place (most commonly part-time working), only: - 21% agreed with the statement 'I would feel confident requesting either formalised or ad-hoc flexible working arrangements' - 19% agreed with the statement 'Choosing to work flexibly would not affect my opportunities for career progression'. So it was more heartening to see this case study in the DfE research 'Schools' responses to financial pressures 2023', about secondary school that's introducing a flexible working policy based on teachers working a four-day week. The school anticipated savings from supply cover, agency fees and recruitment advertising costs would balance out the cost, and the headteacher was 'finding that this flexible working approach was proving a more attractive retention and recruitment approach than salary increments'. Sounds brilliant - I'd love to know how it's working out in practice! Working lives of teachers and leaders wave 3: https://lnkd.in/epXBPeDd Schools' responses to financial pressures 2023: https://lnkd.in/e5mzaq3a (see p. 61 for the case study). *** I was reading these report for this week's Need to Know digests: see https://lnkd.in/e7NH3TrC for more detail 👀

Did you know that 44% of teachers in England plan to leave the profession by 2027? 🤯 We’re encouraged by Labour’s plans to make the four-day working week more achievable through compressed hours because we know that flexible working can help all staff achieve a better work vs life balance. In fact, we believe it’s the next step in inclusive retention strategies for education. We don’t want to lose precious talent in our schools but right now in the UK, staff retention is worryingly low, teachers workloads are increasing and recruitment isn’t always a quick fix. Here at the GEC we want to normalise flexible working within Education and believe that it can lead to real change across the sector, allowing great teachers to remain in a profession they love. Download our FREE guide to see how Flexible Working can work for you: https://lnkd.in/drqfHWVn #DEI #Inclusion #equality #diversity #inclusionrevolution #FlexibleWorking #fourdayweek #worklifebalance

How to Use Organization Development (OD) #28: Do YOU want to work a 6d week? https://buff.ly/3XLvI8M In a radically different response to the questions around the future-of-work, Greece has implemented a 6d work week. Most of us have done a double-take and asked: Um…huh? Org-ology shares skepticism. But if we are committed to data and research, we should all observe, look at the benchmarks, and see what there is to learn. Data matters. #orgology #ODN_Europe #CIPD #ODNNY #EODF #ODC #OrgDevandchange #change #organizationdesign #organizationaldesign #organisationdesign #organisationaldesign #orgdesign #consulting #organizationaldevelopment #organizationdevelopment #changemanagement #OrganizationChange #OrganizationStrategy #ChangeManagement #StrategyImplementation #TeamBuilding #organizationalgrowth #od-ll #ODN #IODA #consulting #workplace #productivity

This is a big shift in employment law. There are some schools and organisations who are already experts in inclusive, flexible employment which responds to the needs of the whole school community. Hearing their stories and understanding how to weave this in to the fabric of your organisation is key if you are not to become inundated with the admin of multiple, individual requests. It will empower you to devise a proactive approach which fits your annual calendar and timetabling. This legislation will have a significant impact on the school workforce, especially as the sector is already lagging in its approach to to flexibility. ‘We had a couple of part-time staff, but it didn’t work out.’ You might be at the very start of your journey looking for inspiration on where to begin. You might be looking for tweaks to your current system which will make your processes even smoother and easier to navigate. Wherever you are on your journey, sign up for these free webinars and look back over the library of resources to improve your chances of success. #flexeducation #flexibleworking #recruitment #retention #timetable #SLT

Cultural change? We’re convinced this one is worth our attention and commitment and could be the biggest thing since the workforce reform agenda in education 20+ years ago. That’s why Neil Renton and I are working with Entrust Education to deliver on this programme. #flexibleworking #rkltpeople #makingadifference #schools

Did you know that nearly as many teachers left the profession as joined it in the year to November 2023? Shortages of primary and secondary school teachers are not getting any better, as reported here: https://lnkd.in/eWJ6UAHB Some innovative schools are taking a proactive approach to flexible working, a major factor in retaining staff and reducing sick leave. It’s not as straightforward as it is in office-based roles, but these challenges can be overcome. Read our report to find out more: https://lnkd.in/ervr9WxX