Schools and learning

Changing School Session Times

The following procedure is obligatory for Community and Voluntary Controlled schools. It does not apply to Foundation and Voluntary Aided schools, although the DCSF recommends that the governing body of such schools should follow it when considering changes.

Changes in the times at which school sessions are to begin in the morning and/or end in the afternoon may only be introduced at the beginning of a school year. Other changes may be introduced at the beginning of any school term.

If a governing body want to make any such changes they must first consult the head teacher, all school staff and the Local Authority (Stephen Hozier, 01438 737500 (or 01923 471500 from area codes 01923 and 0208), email: stephen.hozier@hertscc.gov.uk, fax: 01462 704346).

The governing body must:

• prepare a statement (in English and any other language they consider appropriate) specifying the proposed change and, if required to do so by the Local Authority (LA), annex to it any comments of the LA;
• provide (free of charge) a copy of the statement and any annex to all parents and make copies available for inspection at the school;
• call a meeting, not less than two weeks after circulating a copy of the statement and any annex, to enable parents and anyone else invited by the governing body to discuss the proposed change;
• consider any comments made at the meeting and decide whether to implement the proposed change, with or without any modification;
• inform the LA and parents of any change at least three months before it takes effect where the change is to the beginning of a morning session and/or the end of an afternoon one, and at least six weeks beforehand in the case of any other change.

If any of the changes result in increased costs, particularly with regard to transport, the school becomes responsible for the payment of these under the 'Scheme for Financing Schools' section 6, paragraph 6.2.10.