A review of the most recent evidence on flexible working in schools, conducted by NFER and commissioned by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), suggests that flexible working for teachers is an important piece of the jigsaw in improving teacher recruitment and retention.
England is facing an increasingly severe practical and policy challenge in the recruitment and retention of teachers which means action is imperative. NFER's latest Teacher Labour Market report highlights further drops in retention rates and warns of the deteriorating attractiveness of teaching compared to other occupations. Previous analysis has identified the relationship between job satisfaction and retention and there is mounting evidence for the potential of flexible working opportunities to positively contribute. The Department for Education’s Teacher Recruitment and Retention Strategy published in 2019, included a priority to expand flexible working opportunities in teaching, and an updated strategy is anticipated this winter that will reflect on progress and outline future priorities.
The NFER review found consistent evidence that flexible working helps teachers’ sense of wellbeing, job satisfaction and motivation and reduces burnout, resulting in increased intention to remain in the profession. Access to flexible working is a prominent factor in teachers’ decisions to stay or leave. Where it is available, they are more likely to be satisfied and want to stay.
The ability to attract high-quality candidates to vacancies and retain experienced teachers can lead to many benefits for schools from saving on recruitment and induction costs to building staff capacity, expertise, and diversity.
