Flexible working request

You’ll find two sample letters in this resource. Choose the text that applies to your type of school or college and insert or adapt the text within the square brackets according to your circumstances.

For members in community, voluntary controlled, maintained nursery and special schools:

[Date]

Dear Local Authority Personnel Officer

Request for flexible working

This is my formal application made under the statutory right to request flexible working. [My head teacher/principal/line manager has agreed to my request in principle/supports my request.]

Although I am applying to [LA name] Local Authority as my employer, I understand that my governing board and head teacher will consider my request and will implement any changes should my request be granted. I would be happy to discuss this further with my head teacher.

I would like to apply to work in a flexible working pattern that is different to my current working pattern under my rights provided by law. I confirm that I am eligible to apply for flexible work.

I [have/have not] made a request for flexible working during the last 12 months [date of any previous application in the last 12 months].

I am making this request to enable me to [e.g., care for a child or adult, to pursue a training course].

[Reasons for your request, i.e., why it falls to you to care for the child/adult, e.g., local care facilities do not exist/are inadequate/are prohibitively expensive; the particular training course does not run outside working hours].

My current working arrangement is as follows:

[details of current working arrangements including days/hours/times/location]

I would like the change in my working arrangement to start from:

[date on which you wish your new working arrangement to start.]

I would like the change to be permanent or to be temporary until:

[Specify whether you wish the variation to be permanent or temporary and, if temporary, the date on which you wish the variation to end.]

I have given careful thought to my current working arrangements and the impact that my request may have on the school/college and my colleagues. I think the variation in my working arrangements will affect my employer and colleagues as follows:

[Give details of how your proposed change to your days/hours/times/location, etc., will affect your directed time, contact time and the current school/college timetable.]

I believe that the school/college can accommodate my request without disruption or difficulty. I have made enquiries and believe that the effect of my new working arrangement on my school/college and my colleagues can be dealt with in the following way:

[Give details of any enquiries you may have made of colleagues as to how your proposals could be accommodated and whether colleagues would be willing and able to share or take on some of your current responsibilities. Give details of any other aspects of how your current role can be dealt with. State whether you have discussed your proposals with your line manager, and if your line manager supports your proposals, say so.]

My personal details are as follows:

Name:

School:

Position:

DfE number:

I would be grateful if you could confirm receipt of my application. I understand that you must deal with my request in accordance with the ACAS Code of Practice on requests for flexible working. Should you decide to hold a meeting, please let me know if you require any additional information from me.

I look forward to receiving your response.

Yours sincerely

[Member's Signature]

c.c. Head teacher or Principal

Chair of Governors

For members in foundation, foundation trust, voluntary aided, academy, independent, free schools or sixth form colleges:

[Date]

Dear Chair of Governors

Request for flexible working

This is my formal application made under the statutory right to request flexible working. [My head teacher/principal/line manager has agreed to my request in principle/supports my request.]

I would like to apply to work a flexible working pattern that is different to my current working pattern under my rights provided by law. I confirm that I am eligible to apply for flexible work.

I [have/have not] made a request for flexible working during the last 12 months [date of any previous application in the last 12 months].

I am making this request to enable me to [e.g., care for a child or adult, to pursue a training course].

[Give reasons for your request, i.e., why it falls to you to care for the child/adult, e.g., local care facilities do not exist/are inadequate/are prohibitively expensive; the particular training course does not run outside working hours].

My current working arrangement is as follows:

[Give details of current working arrangements including days/hours/times/location]

I would like the change in my working arrangement to start from:

[Give the date on which you wish your new working arrangement to start.]

I would like the change to be permanent or to be temporary until:

[Specify whether you wish the variation to be permanent or temporary and, if temporary, the date on which you wish the variation to end.]

I have given careful thought to my current working arrangements and the impact that my request may have on the school/college and my colleagues. I think the variation in my working pattern will affect my employer and colleagues as follows:

[Give details of how your proposed change to your days/hours/times/location, etc., will affect your directed time, contact time and the current school/college timetable.]

I believe that the school/college can accommodate my request without disruption or difficulty. I have made enquiries and believe that the effect of my new working arrangement on my school/college and my colleagues can be dealt with in the following way:

[Give details of any enquiries you may have made of colleagues as to how your proposals could be accommodated and whether colleagues would be willing and able to share or take on some of your current responsibilities. Give details of any other aspects of how your current role can be dealt with. State whether you have discussed your proposals with your line manager, and if your line manager supports your proposals, say so.]

My personal details are as follows:

Name:

School:

Position:

DfE number:

I would be grateful if you could confirm receipt of my application. I understand that you must deal with my request in accordance with the ACAS Code of Practice on requests for flexible working. Should you decide to hold a meeting, please let me know if you require any additional information from me.

I look forward to receiving your response.

Yours sincerely

[Member's Signature]

c.c. Head teacher or Principal