School day length requirements

There is no legal requirement on the length of the school day. The governing body decides when sessions should begin and end on each school day. It also decides the length of each lesson and the timings for the morning session, the midday break, and the afternoon session.

Sessions must allow enough lesson time to deliver a broad and balanced curriculum that includes the National Curriculum and religious education.

Circular 7/90 which prescribed the minimum hours per week for pupils in each of the key stages has been revoked. The Department no longer provides guidance on minimum hours.

Changing length of the school day

Since 1 September 2011 all maintained schools have been free to change their session times quickly without having to follow a nationally prescribed process, but should do so in accordance with reasonable local procedures.

The Department revoked the regulations that prescribed procedures.

Schools are expected to consult and take account of the views of interested parties before they implement any changes to the school day

Academies, Free Schools and pupil referral units are entirely free to set their own times and dates for opening.

Length of school year

All maintained schools and non maintained special schools must open to educate their pupils for at least 380 half-day sessions (190 days) in each school year, unless this is reduced by Parliament. 

Amendments in regulations have led to temporary reductions to the length of the school year:

  • in 2010/11 for the Royal Wedding.
  • in 2010/11 for schools delivering the primary curriculum in 2011/12, to allow teachers an extra day’s training.
  • in 2011/12 for all schools, due to the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

Each school year must begin from the first term - which is to start after July. This is consistent with the annual up-to-195-days required by a teacher's statutory conditions of service; the additional up-to-five-days are non-teaching work days.

School term dates and holidays

School employers must set the term and holiday dates for the school year.

The local authority is responsible for setting term and holiday dates in the case of community, special and voluntary-controlled schools. The term dates for foundation and voluntary-aided schools are decided by the governing body of each.

Academies and Free Schools set their own school term and holiday dates.

In all maintained schools the school year must begin after July and is commonly set on the basis of three terms or of six terms (standard school year). 

When planning their calendar, all employers must adhere to the minimum 190 days on which schools must meet and to the maximum of 190 days on which teachers must be available to teach.

Academies and Free Schools set their own start terms

Changing the school term and holidays

The local authority (LA) and governing body must consult all interested parties if they wish to make changes to the school year. They should take account of staff and parents’ views. They should follow the procedures set out in the Education (School Day and School Year) (England) Regulations 1999 SI 3181.

 Academies and Free schools must seek staff agreement before making changes.

Shortening school sessions

Temporary closure

Each maintained school in England must, by law, meet for at least 380 half-day sessions (190 days) in each year to educate pupils unless it is prevented from meeting (e.g. by a domestic emergency such as a flood or fire, severe weather or infectious disease, etc).

If a school is prevented from meeting and cannot make up the lost session(s) it can be considered to have been open during the session(s) for the purpose of the 380 sessions requirement. However, schools can make up the lost education by other means.

Planning to close a maintained school, so that for example it can refurbish or relocate or change its status, is not permissible. Projects should be planned to avoid such an eventuality.

Academies and Free Schools are not subject to the 380 sessions rule.

The Power to Innovate

The Power to Innovate can be used by maintained schools and local authorities wishing to test innovative approaches to raising standards. It can be used to apply for a temporary exemption from this legislation, for example, from the requirement to open for a minimum of 380 sessions.