28.03.2022

England schools set for minimum week length in new rules

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An article published by the BBC details how all schools in England will have to open for at least 32.5 hours a week, under government plans

The length of the school day is currently decided by the headteacher with the governing body in England.

The rule - which starts next September - will hit the 14% of schools thought to be open fewer than 32 hours a week.

Education secretary Nadhim Zahawi said he wanted "strong schools with great teachers for every child".

The government said the change would ensure children had a fair chance to engage with a range of subjects - as well as any catch-up support - wherever they lived.

The 32.5 hour school week is equivalent to 08:45 to 15.15, with the government arguing that a child with a school day shorter by 20 minutes a day would lose two weeks of schooling over the course of a year.

But education unions said the new requirement would make little difference, as most schools already met the threshold.

They suggested schools that did not could be in rural areas which face greater transport challenges.

Full article:

The BBC - England schools set for minimum week length in new rules