Education and the four-day week
Stone King recently held a webinar looking at the implications of a four-day week on employers, including within the Education sector. Understandably, we have received lots of questions regarding how a reduced week could be implemented in schools. Much will depend on the approach taken regarding a four-day week, i.e. whether it is proposed to keep the school open for five days but have staff working for four or whether the school will close for one day a week. Each option presents different challenges, affecting members of staff, students and parents. There will of course also be a cost impact which will need to be analysed.
The primary consideration will of course be the impact on students. There are constraints on local authority-maintained schools in terms of the number of sessions per year although academies have greater freedoms regarding term dates. From September 2023, all mainstream schools will be expected to provide a compulsory week of at least 32.5 hours.
Offering a four-day week may assist with recruitment and retention issues - albeit it is likely to be more manageable for roles that are not student facing.
If you have any questions then please contact JeanBoyle@stoneking.co.uk
Stone King LLP
