More teachers are expected to benefit from flexible working thanks to a successful initiative that will help improve teacher retention and deliver high standards for pupils, the Department for Education has announced.
“The Government’s Flexible Working Ambassadors Programme has been extended for a further year to support more schools across the country, enabling teachers to plan lessons from home, job-share or work flexible hours – so they have the time and energy to be at the front of the classroom, delivering high and rising standards for children,” the Department said in a statement on Friday (23 May).
The department said it is also committed to hiring 6,500 expert teachers over the course of this Parliament, noting that the quality of teaching is the single biggest driver of higher standards in schools.
It added that there are now two thousand more secondary school teachers training this year than last, a 25% increase in the number of people accepting teacher training places in STEM subjects, and more teachers are forecasted to stay in the profession.
Flexible working hours
Government data shows that 46% of teachers had a flexible working arrangement in place in 2024, up by six percentage points since 2022. 47% of teaching staff have previously indicated that they were considering leaving state education, citing a lack of flexible working opportunities as one of the reasons.
Evidence shows a high-quality teacher can make around half a GCSE grade difference per pupil per subject, showing the importance of allowing teachers to work flexibly, to retain the best teachers and help children achieve and thrive.
Research also found 82% of school leaders offering flexible working agreed that it had helped to retain teachers who might otherwise leave. 62% of parents said children being taught by two teachers in a job-share arrangement had no impact, or a positive impact, on their child.
“My number one priority is making sure every child has an expert teacher at the front of their classroom, as we know high-quality teaching makes the biggest difference to education outcomes,” said Schools Minister Catherine McKinnell.
“We highly value our brilliant teachers, and they deserve working conditions that recognise their professionalism and support their wellbeing.
“I’ve seen first-hand how working flexibly can transform teachers’ lives for the better and drive high and rising high standards for their pupils. Our Flexible Working Ambassadors Programme will help make sure we deliver on our pledge to recruit and retain more teachers.”
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