News & Views

DfE Flexible Working Programme  2023-2025

Flexible Working Ambassador Multi-Academy Trusts and Schools (FWAMS) have been appointed by the DfE to support school leaders to implement and embed flexible working in their schools. Flexible working supports recruitment and retention, boosts staff wellbeing and promotes equality and diversity of opportunity in the workforce.

FWAMS will offer practical advice on overcoming common challenges, such as timetabling and budgeting, as well as highlighting the importance of ‘flexible hiring’ and providing support on designing a policy. Whether you are a leader in a MAT, a mainstream primary or secondary, a special school or an alternative provision/pupil referral unit setting, a FWAMS will be able to offer bespoke support.

The appointed delivery provider for our flexible working programme, Capita, will work with the ambassador schools/MATs to deliver a programme aimed at supporting schools and trusts to implement flexible working practices. As part of this, they will deliver a national programme of free workshops and webinars.

A list of schools can be found in the table below. DfE do not yet have a named FWAMS in every region but they are working on plans to secure full coverage. In the meantime, regardless of location or specialism, those needing support should contact our delivery provider, Capita, directly via their website: https://www.flexibleworkingineducation.co.uk/ . They will be working to ensure that requests are dealt with, and appropriate support offered.