Approved supplier on the DfE-recommended CPC framework
01773 851079 | enquiries@schoolsmutual.co.uk
In 2019, Schools Mutual was founded with a clear mission: to help schools protect their budgets while supporting staff in a sustainable and ethical way. As a not-for-profit mutual created exclusively for UK schools, we exist to keep more money within education.
As a Community Interest Company (CIC), we are legally committed to serving the wider school community rather than generating private profit. This means our assets and any surplus are protected and reinvested for community benefit. Every investment made in Schools Mutual directly supports schools and will continue to do so, even if the organisation changes or closes in the future.
Managing Director, Schools Advisory Service
Director, Jerroms Business Solutions
Former Headteacher, St Nicholas C of E Primary School | Former NAHT President
Former CEO, Enhance Academy Trust
A mutual fund is a way for schools to pool funds to project their budgets from the cost of absence, by claiming back when staff are off work.
Yes. Schools have the option of purchasing in to the absence protection scheme which will reimburse schools in a lump sum benefit, which would pay a specified amount for the maternity leave based on the staff FTE, or you can choose to cover maternity at a net cost.
A second option is to join our parental leave scheme, which can cover the costs of both maternity leave and shared parental leave.
Wellbeing services are additional support services offered by Schools Mutual through our Schools Wellbeing Team. What sets Schools Mutual apart from other providers is all the physical and mental health support that we offer is managed by our in-house NMC registered nurses and delivered by clinician leaders. Services currently included within our wellbeing services; - Counselling – Physiotherapy – Private Medical Operations – Weight Management – Nurse Support Service from our in-house NMC registered nurses – Menopause Support – Integrated GP Service – Cancer & Chronic Illness Support – A range of pupil wellbeing services – Many more!
Core covers sickness and accident absences as per our stop loss policy excluding any absences for pre-existing conditions or pre-planned operations. Enhanced has the same benefits as core but also includes cover for absences related to pre-existing conditions and pre-planned operations.
You can choose to include ongoing absences, pre-existing conditions or pre-planned operations. If a staff member will be absent at the start of your Core or Enhanced Scheme, you can choose cover the ongoing absence for a period of time. Any known maternity absences can also be included. Please speak to a member of the Schools Mutual Team to learn more.
All absences can reported via the Schools Mutual administration portal where you can review outstanding payments requests, edit existing absences and establish potential payments.
If you are having problems using the online portal, please contact us on 01773 851079.
If a member of staff is absent for a long period of time, interim payments can be made. Upload medical certificates to the portal as you receive them and our team will process and refer to the Board. Interim payments will be made once approved by the Board.
The fund administrators are Schools Advisory Service (SAS), with over 25 years’ experience in administrating staff absence insurance scheme, they are the leaders in their field and have state-of-the-art fund management portal for members to report payment requests.