New flexible working support schemes announced for teaching profession

A number of leading organisations have pledged to support a government-initiated drive to provide more flexible working options for teaching professionals.

Following on from the Flexible Working in Schools Summit that took place in October, more than 60 pledges have been made by businesses, schools and education organisations to ensure that alternative ways of working are provided more widely across the UK.

For example, industry publication TES has committed to creating an award to recognise the schools with the most progressive working practices, while Microsoft will extend its partnership with WomenED to share best practice on flexible working online and at events.

Meanwhile, the Chartered College of Teaching is looking to create a model of how flexible working can be implemented for all members of staff, with the National Education Union and the Association of School and College Leaders set to promote the advantages of flexible working in schools.

Individual schools and academies that have already committed to offering new flexible work options include Marsh Green Primary School, Kings School Winchester, the Southwark Teaching Schools Alliance and the Matrix Academy Trust.

The government hopes that by making a commitment to support flexible working among teachers, progress can be made on supporting female employees in the workplace and tackling the gender pay gap on a nationwide basis.

Education secretary Justine Greening said: "Flexible working opportunities will help us to make the best of all of the talent and dedication already in the profession. Great teachers are at the heart of our plans to offer every child a world-class education, and it's really encouraging that so many organisations have already started to take action."