Schools in England set for new minimum week length

As reported by the BBC News, new government plans mean schools in England will be open for at least 32.5 hours a week by September 2023

Currently, the number of hours in a school day is decided by the headteacher and the governing body.

The change is expected to impact 14% of schools across England, which are currently open for less than 32 hours a week.

Approximately 70% of schools are open between 32 and 35 hours a week.

The government has said they hope to help give children a fair chance and more time for catch-up support.

Nadhim Zahawi, the education secretary, said he wanted “strong schools with great teachers for every child”.

The government has said that a child with a 20 minute shorter school day would lose two weeks of school time over the course of a year.

A 32.5 hour week may typically be from 08:45 to 15.15.

The new rules are part of the government’s wider plans for schools announced this week, alongside a review of the support available for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The plans include a target for 90% of pupils leaving primary school to be at the expected level for maths and English by 2030. According to the latest reports just before the pandemic, only 65% of year six pupils had reached that level.

Paul Whiteman, of the headteachers union, the NAHT, commented: “Simply adding five or 10 minutes to a day is unlikely to bring much, if any, benefit.”