UK Government proposes four-day work weeks for teachers

The UK government is considering proposals to allow full-time teachers in state schools to complete their contracted hours over four days instead of five. Education Secretary Lucy Powell has requested recommendations from the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) on how to implement this flexibility.

Under current regulations, full-time teachers in England are required to be available for 1,265 hours over 195 days per year. The proposed amendment would allow school leaders the discretion to let teachers fulfill these hours over fewer days to meet evolving workforce needs. While individual teachers might work a four-day week, schools would still be required to remain open and provide lessons five days a week, with other staff timetabled to cover the fifth day.

Additionally, ministers may consider lifting salary caps to help attract and retain experienced classroom staff. The move follows findings from the STRB suggesting that flexible working is a significant factor in teacher retention. The proposal aims to provide greater flexibility for school leaders without reducing the total number of hours worked or affecting pupil time in schools.