Policy

For full details on this leave type please refer to the special leave policy.

Special Leave [pdf]

Download request form [Word]

The College aims to support staff development wherever possible. Study leave can include time off for examinations and for examination preparation and study.

A member of staff studying for a course that is relevant to their existing job or future career within the College:

  • May apply for flexibility in their work schedule to facilitate appropriate attendance - see more about Flexible working.
  • May apply for study leave for examinations, revision and the preparation of coursework.
  • May wish to look into a study loan offered by the College - see more about the Study loan scheme.

Leave amount

Paid study leave of up to 3 days each year.

 

Requesting study leave

Staff guidance

You should raise your request for study leave with your manager, ideally as part of your Performance Review and Development Plan (PRDP), and well in advance of the commencement of the course.

Make sure you to discuss the following factors with your manager:

  • The length of the course
  • The length, type and frequency of exam(s), and the amount of associated revision required
  • The volume and type of coursework
  • Workload
  • Staffing levels and available cover
  • Where the course of study is supported via the College’s Sponsored Study Scheme, the expectations and contributions negotiated between the Department and the student when applying for sponsored study. E.g. agreements relating to fees vs time off.

If you require more time off to study, you may wish to consider further leave arrangements, such as annual leave or unpaid leave. 

If you are applying for unpaid study leave, you will need to complete the Unpaid leave request form and send it to your manager.

Once leave has been approved, your line manager and HR will update your absence management records on your behalf.

Manager guidance

Managers are encouraged to support requests for study leave where the study is relevant to their existing job or future career at the College.

Make sure you to take the following factors into account when deciding on how much leave to grant:

  • The length of the course
  • The length, type and frequency of exam(s), and the amount of associated revision required
  • The volume and type of coursework
  • Workload
  • Staffing levels and available cover
  • Where the course of study is supported via the College’s Sponsored Study Scheme, the expectations and contributions negotiated between the Department and the student when applying for sponsored study. E.g. agreements relating to fees vs time off.

If further leave is required, you might wish to suggest they take annual leave or unpaid leave in addition to study leave. 

If your staff member decides to take unpaid study leave, they will need to send you a completed ‌Unpaid leave request form for you to review and approve or decline.