A leading campaign group has directly called on the government to grant schools the freedom to trial a four-day working week for teachers, in a bid to tackle a deepening staffing crisis.
Letter to the Education Secretary
The 4 Day Week Foundation has written to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson MP, urging her to empower schools to experiment with shorter working weeks. The organisation argues this move is essential to improve staff wellbeing, boost recruitment, and retain more teachers in the profession.
In the letter, the foundation cites research indicating that a reduced working week can lower burnout rates, increase productivity, and support a healthier work-life balance. These potential benefits are seen as critically important for a sector under immense strain.
"Working Smarter, Not Less"
James Reeves, the foundation's campaign manager, stated: "Teachers are burning out at unprecedented rates. A four-day week isn't about doing less - it's about working smarter, protecting staff wellbeing, and ultimately improving outcomes for students."
The group advocates for a four-day, 32-hour working week with no loss of pay. This plea follows an announcement last week by Scottish education secretary Jenny Gilruth, who proposed new measures to allow teachers in Scotland a flexible four-day teaching week.
The push comes against a troubling backdrop for education in England. Official figures from the Department for Education reveal that last year, nearly as many teachers left the profession as entered it. The sector also continues to grapple with heavy workloads, persistent pupil absence, and widening attainment gaps.
Parental Reactions: Concern and Support
The proposal has elicited mixed reactions from parents. Emma, a parent from Greenwich, southeast London, expressed significant concerns, particularly regarding her child's GCSE studies. "Our primary worry is whether the curriculum could be delivered with sufficient depth and consistency," she told Sky News, highlighting existing issues with continuity due to substitute teachers.
In contrast, Clare, a parent from Suffolk, voiced support for the idea. "I'd just sooner have teachers that aren't burnt out," she said, expressing faith in teachers' professionalism and suggesting that varied teaching styles could be valuable.
Some educational institutions are already exploring alternative schedules. A number of schools across the UK have begun experimenting with models such as four-day weeks, 4.5-day weeks, and a nine-day fortnight. Matthew, a parent from north London, noted that many teachers already work part-time and argued that such flexibility is a good way to keep skilled professionals in the classroom.
Government Stance on the School Week
Despite these calls and existing trials, the government's recent response to a curriculum review suggested schools would not be permitted to move away from the standard five-day school week.
A Department for Education spokesperson responded: "This government is restoring teaching as the highly valued profession it should be. Last year saw one of the lowest rates of teachers leaving the profession since 2010."
The spokesperson added that while the government supports flexible working for staff, it is committed to ensuring "every child receives brilliant teaching for the full school week." The department pointed to a funded programme designed to embed flexible working practices in schools and expand opportunities for teachers.
