Our nine-day fortnight

EEF study highlights positive impact of Dixons’ nine-day fortnight

Teachers involved in the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) evaluation reported that the nine-day fortnight is supporting their well-being, job satisfaction, and work–life balance.
Introduced in 2024 across all Dixons schools, the policy gives teaching staff one day off each fortnight, while maintaining full teaching time for students. The approach was designed to address national challenges in recruitment and retention and to improve work-life harmony for educators.

The EEF commissioned Ambition Institute and IFF Research to explore early impacts through interviews with teachers and leaders at seven Dixons schools. Findings showed that teachers and school leaders report:

• improved well-being and morale among teachers and leaders
• increased job satisfaction and better work-life balance
• no negative impact on students, including those with special educational needs
• early signs of stronger recruitment and retention
• While the evaluation noted some practical challenges around timetabling and ensuring equity for part-time and early career teachers, the overall picture is highly positive, demonstrating how trusts can lead the way in redefining flexible working in education.

"It feels great to be part of a school that is doing something for the staff,” said one leader quoted in the report. “The profession has become unattainably hard in the volume of work and expectation - this policy shows our staff are valued. ” 

The nine-day working fortnight will continue across Dixons schools in the 2025 / 26 academic year, with ongoing monitoring of its long-term impact on teacher retention and student outcomes. Read the full report here.

Twelve months on, the results speak for themselves:

• 43% reduction in staff turnover: meaning more experienced teachers staying in our classrooms
• 518 fewer sickness absence days: healthier staff, more consistent learning for students
• 12% increase in applicants: attracting great new talent into Dixons

Most importantly, our colleagues tell us the policy has made a real difference to their lives, from being there for school plays and family moments, to having the space to recharge and thrive.

We’re proud of the progress we’ve made, and we’re excited to keep leading the way in making education a place where people want to stay and grow. Read the TES article here.

Click here to read the Tes article on flexible working, written by our school and college trust leader, Luke Sparkes, and click here to hear from a member of team Dixons discuss the positive impact of our nine-day fortnight for teachers.