Teachers in England are facing a serious recruitment crisis, with many educators feeling burnt out and leaving the profession. In response to this, the Dixons academies trust has proposed a nine-day fortnight for teachers, while the Department for Education suggests allowing staff to work from home during free periods. We spoke to teachers and school leaders to get their opinions on these innovative solutions.
A secondary school history teacher, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed their concerns about the high workload and lack of flexibility in the teaching profession. They mentioned that many of their colleagues have already left the profession due to these issues. The teacher emphasized the importance of reducing workload and having more time for planning and administrative tasks to prevent burnout.
Caroline Derbyshire, the Chief Executive of the Saffron academy trust in Essex, acknowledged the noble intention behind the proposals but raised concerns about the practical implications. She highlighted the challenges of finding cover for teachers working from home and the high cost of supply teachers. Derbyshire also pointed out the importance of recruiting more teachers to lighten the workload for existing staff.
Stuart Lock, the Chief Executive of Advantage schools in Bedfordshire, expressed interest in the idea of a nine-day fortnight for teachers. He believes that this could lead to better-rested teachers and increased competitiveness with other careers. Lock also emphasized the need to address stress, workload, and lack of autonomy among teachers to improve retention rates.
Becks Boomer-Clark, the Chief Executive of Lift Schools, praised the innovative thinking behind the proposals and shared some successful measures implemented in their schools. These initiatives have led to increased interest from potential recruits and improved retention rates within their network of schools.
Glyn Potts, the Headteacher of Saint John Henry Newman RC College, highlighted the importance of exploring new initiatives to attract and retain teachers, especially the younger generation. Potts acknowledged the challenges faced by many institutions in implementing such changes but emphasized the need to adapt to a changing educational landscape.
Overall, educators and school leaders are open to exploring innovative solutions to address the recruitment crisis and improve working conditions for teachers. While there are concerns about practical implications and financial constraints, there is a sense of optimism about the potential benefits of these proposals for the future of education.
