Why work with us?

Our Commitment to Staff Wellbeing and Workload

At FBA we are deeply committed to supporting the wellbeing of our staff and ensuring a manageable workload. We recognise that a healthy and balanced work environment is essential for fostering both personal well-being and professional growth, which in turn greatly benefit student outcomes. To this end, we prioritise open communication, encourage regular breaks, and offer resources for mental health and stress management. We actively work to streamline tasks, provide professional development opportunities, and create a supportive community where staff feel valued and empowered. Our aim is to create a sustainable, positive atmosphere where every staff member can thrive.

To achieve this we conduct the following:

1. Encourage efficient working practices as outlined in the DFE school workload reduction toolkit: (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/school-workload-reduction-toolkit#wellbeing)
   I. Clear behaviour policy with a shared language on sanctions and rewards. Support including centralised
   detentions and on call response.
   II. Marking policy devised by teachers on a full timetable whereby feedback is given every 6 lessons
   III. Strategic placement of INSET days
   IV. Majority of progress reports consisting of data rather than individual comments
   V. Wellbeing weeks in the calendar strategically placed at pinch points in the year so no meetings take place
   VI. Standardisation and moderation meetings scheduled to support collaboration and workload
   VII. Co-planning sessions and shared department planning to spread the load
   VIII. Teaching timetables significantly below the national upper limit of 90%.
2. Ensure communication to all stakeholders is regular and effective
   I. One briefing per week to maintain effective communication and keep the team together
   II. All communications centralised through weekly staff and student bulletins shared to all staff to update on key
   notices of the week
   III. Work related email restrictions, we do not encourage weekend emails. We have a 48 hour response policy to
   parents/carers.
   IV. All deadlines are staggered and published well in advance. Assessment and data calendar is shared at the
   start of the academic year.
3. Keep staff refreshed throughout the working day
   I. Option of free breakfast for all staff before 8am
   II. Option of free lunch for staff on lunch duty
   III. Mini-staff rooms across the school with tea, coffee, water, fridges, and microwaves
   IV. Refreshments provided during late evenings such as parents’ evenings
4. Invest in staff growth and development
   I. Free access to the Schools Advisory Service (SAS) the Trust’s employee well-being support and medical
   programme. This includes 24 hour a day access to a GP helpline for you and those within your household, a
   counselling service, stress management, weight loss programme, physiotherapy, menopause support and
   much more.
   II. Fortnightly line management meetings with the first question focusing on wellbeing
   III. Investment in development of staff through CPD, coaching and learning walks
   IV. NPQ and further qualification opportunities
   V. Networking and engagement links with girls’ schools in the UK and abroad through the International Coalition
   of Girls Schools’ (ICGS)
   VI. CPD with a specific focus on subject development and subject-specific networking
5. Bringing positivity into the workplace and giving back
   I. Quiet staff marking room
   II. Well-equipped department staff rooms around the school
   III. Weekly staff reward recognition
   IV. Staff birthdays recognised
   V. End of term staff awards
   VI. Staff service awards
   VII. Staff BBQ in the summer
   VIII. Staff included in the Schools’ Birthday gifts
   IX. Staff wellbeing events
   X. Key staff social events during the year