Part-time timetable arrangements

Part-time timetable arrangements should be reported to the Local Authority as soon as possible and within two weeks of the arrangement being put into place.

 The Local Authority has a duty to monitor the use of part-time timetable arrangements and as such schools are required to report to the Local Authority when a reduced timetable has been put in place for a pupil. This can be done using this link

Part-time timetabling arrangements should only be used in very exceptional circumstances and for very particular reasons. The following circumstances might warrant the use of a part-time timetable arrangement:

• a diagnosed medical condition where a health professional has confirmed the pupil is not well enough to attend full-time education;
• a special educational need where a gradual introduction to school is felt appropriate to meeting the pupil’s needs;
• for pastoral support where a pupil might benefit from attending part-time over a short period to manage a social, emotional or behavioural issue.  

There might be other exceptional circumstances where a part-time timetable is required and agreed. Part-time timetable arrangements must not be used as a form of exclusion or an alternative to meeting a pupil’s needs long-term. 

There is an expectation that state-funded mainstream schools should deliver a school week of at least 32.5 hours by September 2023. The white paper ‘Opportunity for all: strong schools with great teachers for your child’ sets out this expectation. Specialist settings, including alternative provision providers, should share the ambition to extend and enrich the school week. All schools maintained by a local authority and special schools not maintained by a local authority are required to: meet for at least 380 sessions or 190 days during any school year to educate their pupils; operate two sessions on every school day divided by a break in the middle of the day.  

Schools are not required to notify the Local Authority when part-time attendance is part of a staggered entry for Reception children or an integration programme into school of less than 15 school days. Schools will not be required to inform the Local Authority when the pupil is missing less than 20 minutes of full-time education each day. The school is not required to report part-time attendance where any arrangements are such that the pupil is in receipt of their full-time education entitlement through alternative provision. If in doubt as to whether to report the school should contact the named officer to discuss. 

In agreeing to a reduced timetable, a school must have given due consideration to the following:

• Possible safeguarding implications and that a risk assessment of the situation has been conducted. 
• Schools to have a plan in place for re-integration to full-time education as swiftly as possible, usually within 6 weeks.
• Schools must seek parental agreement for any part-time timetable arrangements. Parents should not be coerced into accepting a part-time timetable arrangement. Consideration must be given to the impact of such arrangements for the child’s family. 
• For the purposes of reporting absence where a part-time timetable has been agreed, if the child is too ill to be in school full-time, the school may consider using the ‘I’ code. For any other reason the ‘C’ code should be used. In both cases this would be considered authorised absence.
• If a parent decides not to send their child into school full-time and a part-time timetable arrangement has not been agreed by the school this is unauthorised absence and an attendance issue. 

In carrying out its duties the Local Authority’s named officer will:

• Arrange for a termly reminder to be sent out to schools requesting all part-time timetable arrangements to be reported. 
• Maintain a record of part-time timetables arrangements and provide termly updates for senior Local Authority officers. 
• Investigate and track the use of part-time timetables to ensure they are being used appropriately to support pupils’ needs and there is a return to full-time education within the agreed timeframe.

The investigation will involve a telephone conversation with the school to check the necessary arrangements are in place. The school will be contacted again to check that the part-time timetable has ceased within the agreed timeframe. The named officer will arrange a visit to a school if further discussion is necessary. Where required, individual cases will be referred on to the appropriate team or service for additional advice or support. 

Part-time timetable arrangements should be reported to the Local Authority as soon as possible and within two weeks of the arrangement being put into place.  

The Local Authority has a duty to monitor the use of part-time timetable arrangements and as such schools are required to report to the Local Authority when a reduced timetable has been put in place for a pupil. This can be done using this link:

Part-time Timetable LA Submission Form 

The named officer for overseeing the use of part-time timetable arrangements is Keith Tysoe – Principal Lead Adviser (SEND and Inclusion) [email protected]

Target Schools:  Primary Secondary and Special

he named officer for overseeing the use of part-time timetable arrangements is Keith Tysoe – Principal Lead Adviser (SEND and Inclusion)

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 07557896529