Flexible working support: a programme for Multi-Academy Trusts and Schools

During this one-hour webinar we will explore the prevalence and benefits of flexible working, how boards can promote and support greater employee flexibility, and share examples of effective governance practice working alongside senior leaders in schools and trusts.

We aim to give trustees and governors, and those they work with, the confidence and knowledge needed in order to be more flexible employers and begin to address recruitment and retention issues.

Join us for an engaging two-hour workshop dedicated to highlighting the importance of flexible working for trusts and schools. This session will provide you with guidance on designing a flexible working strategy. You will leave having received practical advice regarding the implementation of flexible working practices. Additionally, you’ll have the chance to connect and build support networks with other schools and trusts in your region.


To ensure access to all functions during the webinar/workshop, please join via the latest version of Microsoft Teams.

We hope you can join us for this one-hour webinar that will focus on how flexible working can promote equity, diversity, and inclusion within schools. During the webinar we aim to demonstrate how flexible working can help to recruit, retain, and develop teachers and leaders. We will explore and challenge existing barriers to accessing flexible working arrangements and how different groups may be impacted by this e.g., those with a disability, carers, and parents, those reaching retirement age. There will be practical advice provided, including case studies, on how schools can use flexible working effectively and model inclusive workplace practices. Responsibilities under the Equality Act including PSED will also be discussed.

Join us for this session where we will be exploring how flexible working works with senior leadership roles in schools – with career progression. We will look at how drawing on your previous skills and experience can support your application for flexible working, as well as alternative approaches to progression and case studies of ‘Now Teachers’ in promoted posts.
This session will particularly support career-changer teachers who want both flexibility and additional responsibilities/leadership roles. It will also be helpful to those wanting to explore what career progression looks like for career-changers who don’t want to be in senior leadership roles. Anyone with an interest in this area is welcome to attend.

This webinar will help schools find ways to support flexible working without compromising on timetable quality – the timetable need not be a barrier to supporting flexible working.

We will discuss the timetable challenges associated with flexible working as well as when, and how, to factor it in during the timetabling process.

We will explore case studies where challenges have been overcome and you will receive tips for resolving timetable issues you may encounter.

This session will be helpful for school leaders and timetablers. However, anyone with an interest in this area is welcome to watch.

In this session watch Michael Scott, Flexible Working Ambassador from Newport Girls' High School Academy Trust, to learn different ways to best align staff flexible working requests with staffing, curriculum and timetabling models. There will be lots of practical hints/tricks provided irrespective of the software you may/may not use.

Often cited as the reason why flexible working is 'not possible', the timetable can be adapted to meet new requests for flex and Michael will show you ways to achieve this. Follow-up support may also be possible through the Flexible Working in Multi-Academy Trusts and Schools Programme.

This session is ideal for Timetablers, Curriculum Deputy/Assistant Heads and other School/Trust leaders. It is focused more on the secondary/special/middle school sectors but principles will apply to larger primary schools, too. An awareness of timetabling principles is helpful, but not essential.

Are you currently on maternity, adoption or shared parental leave and thinking about making a flexible working request? If so, this is the perfect session for you. Join us for this session to learn about your legal entitlements, current best practice and how to prepare to negotiate to find a flexible working pattern that mutually benefits both you and your school.

This webinar will be particularly helpful for teachers currently on maternity, adoption or shared parental leave. It may also be of interest to teachers who have taken any period of extended leave, or teachers who are making a flexible working request but are currently back at work.

This session aims to help you to develop your understanding of flexible working in MATs and schools by exploring what it can look like and what the benefits are. Practical advice will be provided on handling flexible working requests, using flexible working opportunities in recruitment and managing those working flexibly. This will include looking at flexible working policies, legislation and statutory guidance. We will consider job adverts and recruitment processes, and we will discuss scenarios that may come up when managing MAT and school staff who are working flexibly.

This session will focus on identifying areas of our flexible working lives where there may be a need to establish or strengthen boundaries. We will discuss strategies on setting and holding boundaries effectively. Our aim is to help you understand how effective boundary setting can support flexible working practices, wellbeing, workload and a sense of fulfilment in both personal and professional lives.

Join us for this session, which aims to support you in defining and creating a vision for implementing flexible working.

We’ll explore the drivers and priorities for change, as well as how to effectively communicate this vision to colleagues to encourage buy-in.

Join us for this session where we will discuss how the need to work flexibly is something that we are all likely to need, and possibly be able to do, at some point in our working lives. This webinar will have a particular focus on ECTs, highlighting the value of flexible working in supporting teacher recruitment and retention. If flexible working is to be successful, there are obligations and expectations of the employer and employee. During the session we will look at the likely and particular nature of support required for ECTs who work flexibly.