£5m fund to support teachers to take a sabbatical

Education Secretary Damian Hinds has announced a £5 million fund to support more teachers to take a sabbatical, such as a year working in an industry relevant to their field, and a research project to introduce more flexible hours in the profession.

The idea for a sabbatical fund for those who have been teaching for at least seven years was first set out in a consultation last December. The proposal was for teachers to apply “with a specific project in mind”, and if they are successful they would have their salaries paid for up to a year.

The sabbatical fund is part of the measures aimed at improving flexible working in schools, which have included a Flexible Working Summit to explore how the profession can be more flexible.

Hinds also announced the launch of a research project to introduce more flexible hours in the profession.

Hinds was speaking at the NAHT annual conference in Liverpool on 4 May. .

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