Associate staff

At Dixons, we believe that people create value. As a talent-first organisation, we are committed to giving our colleagues genuine autonomy and agency, because when adults feel trusted and supported, they do their very best work for young people. 

Following the introduction of our nine-day fortnight for teachers, we were clear that flexibility must reflect the contribution of everyone. It cannot be limited to one group. It must be fair, thoughtful and rooted in the realities of different roles. 

Over the past year, we have significantly enhanced flexibility and leave for associate staff across our trust. These changes recognise the unique demands of different roles while ensuring fairness and consistency for everyone. 

Whether you work directly with students, support academy operations, or are part of our wider business services teams, you will benefit from greater autonomy over your time. This includes increased annual leave, structured time away from the workplace, and expanded opportunities for hybrid working where roles allow. For colleagues whose roles must be on-site, we have introduced protected time away from the building to ensure you still benefit from meaningful flexibility.

We introduced structured time away and expanded hybrid working opportunities across our associate workforce, designing flexibility into the system rather than leaving it to chance. 

We listened carefully to associate staff across our trust. They told us:

• One-size-fits-all solutions do not work. 
• Fairness and consistency matter deeply. 
• Flexibility must reflect the nature of different roles. 
• Language and perception are important. 

Our ambition

These changes significantly enhance what are already sector-leading terms and conditions. More importantly, they represent a deliberate shift away from the historic rigidity of school systems. 

We are building flexibility into the structure of work, not treating it as an exception. 

Our ambition is clear: to be the most flexible, forward-thinking employer in education. Because when adults thrive, students thrive. 

Empowering our associate staff

We have also enhanced our term-time offer, recognising the intensity and commitment required in school-based roles, by providing additional paid personal days and maintaining sector-leading attendance expectations while protecting full pay. 

For business services and administrative teams, hybrid working opportunities are expanding, alongside improved leave arrangements and greater parity with academy-based colleagues. These changes ensure flexibility is not limited to specific teams but is part of a trust-wide commitment to supporting all staff. 

This is not about reducing standards. It is about creating the conditions where talented people can thrive, sustain their careers, and continue making a difference. Our approach reflects a simple belief: when we trust our people with greater autonomy, they deliver extraordinary outcomes. 

We are proud to be building one of the most flexible and forward-thinking working environments in education.