The Halifax Academy

Flexible School Fridays

The Halifax Academy is a Flexible Working Ambassador school.

From September 2024 we will be adopting the Flexible School approach.

Flexible schools work the same number of hours but in fewer days. This means the school works normally 9 out of 10 days. On the second Friday of every week, the school works differently – more flexibly - providing benefits for all members of The Halifax Academy community.

The world is different and changing fast. New ways of working and living, and the development of new technologies, mean that the school system, designed for Victorian factories and mills, is outdated and ripe for change. A more flexible approach drags the education system into the 21st Century and better prepares all of us for life in the decades ahead.

By allowing us all to work differently when appropriate, a flexible school approach means that life’s emergencies can be better managed and that the treadmill of a school term can be slowed – rather than careering headlong into exhaustion at half term. The flexible school creates time for deeper professional learning, more thoughtful preparation and planning, more time spent with your team. Ultimately, it means improved wellbeing, capability and retention.

About The Halifax Academy

Our purpose is to provide young people with a voice to help them change the world.

We strengthen our students’ sense of identity, independence, self-esteem and self-worth, providing them with the qualities to make a meaningful difference in the future.

We aim to inspire a love of learning and the motivation to achieve academic excellence. But, equally as important, we encourage our students to develop their creativity and imagination, to build positive relationships with others and an understanding of the world around them.

We deliver a curriculum that facilitates the development of strong academic skills and moral character through a variety of subjects and memorable experiences.  It is built on three tenets: Heart, Mind, Connect. These relate to different aspects of character or behaviour we seek to nurture in pursuit of personal and academic success. For each aspect we have adopted a quotation by an individual admired for their considerable contribution or achievement in that particular area; these carefully chosen words provide meaning and help our students to understand our ethos.

At The Halifax Academy we are committed to an ongoing process of learning, self-reflection, adaptation and growth. We regularly evaluate our practice and make adjustments to ensure we are providing our students with the best possible education. Our culture and curriculum put student wellbeing at the heart of everything we do. We work hard to equip our students with the tools to become resilient young people who can take care of their own wellbeing, as well as the wellbeing of others.

Our approach to staff wellbeing:

We all want to work smarter so that we can better balance quality time with our families and friends with the demands of work. At The Halifax Academy, we aspire to be the best professionals we can be – that is, after all, what our children and families deserve. Our staff are committed, expert and talented, and giving of your best day in day out, requires stamina. We need staff who can thrive at work and also at home, and for the long term. As an employer and an organisation, we are committed to being as flexible and supportive as we can be, helping colleagues and their families to navigate the ups and downs of life.

The Halifax Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks are required for all relevant posts.