Supporting schools works best when it is personal and built on a strong relationship. That is why I’m pleased to introduce myself. Hi, I’m Lewis, Education Mutual’s South Yorkshire Membership Advocate for all things staff absence protection. I work with schools and trusts within the area to provide practical support to reduce and prevent staff absenteeism.

Education Mutual is proud to partner with SYSBL to support education leaders, helping to remove uncertainty from already stretched school budgets. My role is to make things clear and straightforward. That might be explaining how our ethical alternative to traditional staff absence insurance policies works or simply being available to answer any questions you may have when they arise.

Since 2018, Education Mutual has been transforming staff absence protection with an innovative, non-profit making approach that prioritises schools, budgets, and wellbeing. We blend the traditional forms of commercial insurance coverage with a community-driven local authority ethos, ensuring every surplus is reinvested directly back to the education sector where it’s needed most!

Working with schools is at the heart of what I do. I’m the main point of contact for schools and trusts across South Yorkshire who want to learn more about how our platinum award-winning support delivers budget certainty as every membership is fully customisable, giving schools and trusts the freedom to shape their protection around their unique needs.

Access to health and wellbeing services isn’t an optional extra for our members. It’s built into every membership at no additional cost to help prevent and reduce your absenteeism. This includes access to a wide range of health, wellbeing, menopause, and occupational health services which are all included at no additional cost, including:

- Face-to-face counselling

- Physiotherapy

- 24/7 GP access

- Flu vaccinations

- Menopause coaching

- Occupational health assessments

- Staff reputation legal protection support

- Pupil wellbeing service

- Leadership development for Trust Leaders, COO’s and CFO’s


Some schools that I speak with aren’t aware of our non-profit making organisation. For me, this is a crucial part of our offering as managing staff absenteeism is not just about balancing your budget, but about supporting and building a sustainable school community.

If you are a school or trust within South Yorkshire and would like to find out more about us, I’m here to chat. You can find further information via www.educationmutual.co.uk/ or get in touch with myself via 01623 287840 EXT 2373.