One of the things that has surprised me most since moving into headship is how rarely people ask a school for something unreasonable. That might sound odd, because schools spend a lot of time talking about pressure, workload and rising expectations. But most requests, taken individually, make perfect sense. A member of staff asks for flexibility because their circumstances have changed. Someone wants time away for an important event. A colleague suggests an opportunity that would be brilliant for the children. Someone wants to volunteer because they would like to give something back. Become a member for unlimited access to Schools Week Our members enjoy early access to exclusive content and in-depth articles before anyone else. Get expert journalism, experience fewer ads, and unlock a growing range of member benefits. subscribe If you have an account, please login. Sign in