Can schools do flexible work? A Conversation with Neil Renton & Julie Wellacott

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:

1. Flexible working isn't just about part-time hours - it encompasses location, scheduling, and workload
2. The cultural shift required is substantial but pays dividends in retention and teacher wellbeing
3. Small, incremental changes can make a significant difference to individual teachers
4. Start with an honest assessment of your school's current approach to flexibility
5. Both research evidence and individual stories can help persuade reluctant leaders

Links Mentioned:

• Neil's Article in SecEd
• Flexible Working Toolkit

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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