Schools urged to trial four-day week to ease pressure on teachers in England and Wales

The Scottish government announced proposals last week for teachers to work a ‘flexible’ four-day teaching week. Photograph: Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

Campaigners have urged the government to pilot four-day working weeks in schools in England and Wales saying it would boost teacher wellbeing, retention and recruitment rates.

The 4 Day Week Foundation has written to the education secretary calling for greater autonomy for schools to pilot shorter working weeks, saying the government will not be able to meet its manifesto pledge of recruiting 6,500 new teachers without change.