Changing the length of the school day

Read the rules on setting and changing the school day for maintained schools and academies. Get advice on how to consult on the changes, and download our template consultation letter for parents.

Last reviewed on 20 July 2022
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 4491
Contents
  1. Whose responsibility is it? 
  2. There's no formal process
  3. It's a good idea to consult relevant parties
  4. Adapt and send our template consultation letter to parents
  5. See example consultation letters to parents

Whose responsibility is it? 

In maintained schools, the governing board is responsible for setting the length of the school day. This was confirmed to us by the DfE.

In academies, the trust board sets the length of the school day, under advice from the headteacher (see page 118 of the Governance Handbook). 

There's no formal process

There's no specific process you need to follow if you want to alter your school day. You don't need to notify the DfE or hold a formal consultation. The DfE confirmed this to us.

Consider taking the following steps:

This process applies

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Also in "The school day and year"