Schools to be ordered to give ALL pupils full day

SCHOOLS will be ordered to deliver a minimum of 32.5 hours’ teaching time a week in a bid to level up education in England.

The plan is part of the Schools White Paper which will be unveiled tomorrow, aimed at driving up standards and helping children reach their potential.

But the 32.5-hour week, which is already met by most schools, is set to trigger another face-off with teachers’ unions, which have already raised objections.

Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said: “Every child deserves support from excellent teachers, who in turn deserve to be backed by a supportive and inclusive school, whether they live in Doncaster or Dartmouth, whether they plan to study T-levels or A-levels, whatever their background.

“Over my time as Education Secretary, my guiding focus has been creating opportunity for all, with strong schools and great teachers for every child. Every plan and policy I will set out in the Schools White Paper works towards this goal.”

A child who receives 20 minutes less teaching time per day would lose out on around two weeks of schooling per year.

But in a sign that unions will resist the policy, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of

‘This will make sure nobody is left behind’

school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “We hope that during the year before these proposals are implemented, there can be a review of the evidence supporting this plan.

“Simply adding five or 10 minutes to a day is unlikely to bring much, if any, benefit.”

The 32.5-hour school week is equivalent to 8.45am to 3.15pm, Monday to Friday.

Most weeks in primary and secondary schools are already this length but there is variation across the country.

According to the Government, the change aims to bring fairness for every child no matter where they go to school, and provide enough time for engagement with the full breadth and depth of the curriculum, as well as any mental health or catch-up support they might need.

It is one of many measures that will be set out in the White Paper, which will deliver action to make sure every child can succeed.

A national vision for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and those in alternative provision will also be launched, backed by a public consultation.

This is part of the long-awaited publication of the SEND review, and will build on education support. It is hoped it will change the culture and practice in mainstream schools to be more inclusive, helping the workforce to adapt to every pupil’s needs.

Mr Zahawi said: “The Schools White Paper, closely followed by the SEND Green Paper, will be levelling up in action, delivering fairness for every child and making sure nobody is left behind.”

However, Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said that the proposals amounted to telling most schools to “carry on as normal”.

She said that after two years of “pandemic chaos” the plan would leave parents, teachers and pupils “wondering where the ambition for children’s futures is”.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said the majority of schools already met this expectation or came “very close”.

He said it is important to understand the factors that might lead to a shorter week in some schools. “For example, it may be the case in some rural schools that start and finish times are affected by transport arrangements.”