
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: Flexible working isn't just about part-time hours - it encompasses location, scheduling, and workload The cultural shift required is substantial but pays dividends in retention and teacher wellbeing Small, incremental changes can make a significant difference to individual teachers Start with an honest assessment of your school's current approach to flexibility 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


















