32.5 hour school week will have little benefit says NAHT

Responding to the government's publication of guidance on the introduction of a 32.5 hour school week, which has been delayed a year, James Bowen, assistant general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

“We finally have confirmation that this has been pushed back to September 2024, but it is unacceptable that the government left it so late to issue this guidance. Schools had been left uncertain whether they needed to implement changes ahead of next term.

“The policy is a distraction and there is virtually no evidence to suggest adding a small amount of time to the school day will benefit pupils.

“Many schools already have a 32.5 hour week, but those that don’t may face significant financial and logistical challenges. Schools may be forced to use already stretched budgets to extend the hours of lunchtime supervisors and other support staff, while others, especially in rural areas, may face a logistical nightmare when it comes to transport where buses are carefully timetabled around the end of the school day.

“The government should be focusing on more important priorities including addressing the underfunding, heavy workload and high-stakes inspections which are driving a recruitment and retention crisis in our schools.”