Open petition: Review the national framework governing the school year in England

Created by Claire Marie Scott
Closes on 29 March 2027

Review if legislation and regulations governing the number and distribution of school days and holidays remain appropriate, including the role of school employers in setting term dates. Issue guidance or legislate if changes are needed.

The review should consider alternative models to the typical school year, including requiring local authorities and other school employers to redistribute some summer holiday time across the academic year.

The current typical school year can create significant pressures for children and families. We want Government to assess its impact on children’s wellbeing, SEND, childcare affordability, parents’ ability to work and family finances, alongside educational outcomes and staff wellbeing. The same number of school days could potentially be distributed differently.

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