I am a secondary school teacher on mat leave due to go back to work next Dec. I have requested flexible working of four days plus late starts to try and accommodate childcare arrangements/take stress out of mornings. Partner works abroad. I filled out form approx 26TH NOV following informal discussion with head. He said you apply each year for three years and after third year the board of governors will likely reject application and if I wanted to continue I would have to reapply for my job which in his words 'you wouldn't want to do'. Five years ago I was internally appointed head of dept. Up until now in schools after three years staff have been given the choice of making their flexible working arrangement permanent or reverting back to full time.
The flexible working policy however says this will be a permanent change which is what I would want!!! However I have been asked to apply for it for a year, asked to amend original request which I submitted two months ago as I obviously didn't put an end date as the form only asks when you'd like new arrangements to commence from.
Anyone any experience. Not sure what to do?