More teachers across England are set to benefit from flexible working arrangements, following the Government’s decision to extend its Flexible Working Ambassadors Programme for another year.
The initiative, which supports schools in offering job shares, remote lesson planning, and flexible hours, is designed to help retain experienced teachers and ensure high-quality education for pupils. The extension will allow more schools—particularly in disadvantaged areas and special education settings—to access free, practical support and resources to implement flexible working.
The move is part of the Government’s wider Plan for Change, which includes a commitment to recruit 6,500 additional expert teachers during this Parliament. With teaching quality recognised as the single most important factor in raising school standards, the programme aims to keep the best educators in the profession by improving work-life balance.
Recent figures show that 46% of teachers had a flexible working arrangement in 2024—up 6 percentage points since 2022. However, nearly half of those considering leaving the profession cited a lack of flexible options as a key reason.
Evidence shows that flexible working is effective:
- 82% of school leaders offering it said it helped retain staff.
- 62% of parents reported no negative impact—or even a positive one—when their child was taught by job-sharing teachers.
The programme complements other Government efforts to support teachers, including:
- A 4% pay rise from September 2025.
- Tax-free financial incentives and professional development.
- Investment in AI tools to reduce admin and free up teaching time.
Catherine McKinnell, Schools Minister, said:
“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.
“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.”
The number of repeat teacher training acceptances in STEM subjects has risen by 25%, and 2,000 more secondary teachers are training this year compared to last—signs that these reforms are working.
By modernising the profession and making it more sustainable, the Government aims to re-establish teaching as a respected, expert career that delivers for both staff and students.
Image credit: iStock and UK Parliament
