Part-time timetable

All children of compulsory school age are legally entitled to a full-time education which is suitable for them, including their age, ability, aptitude and any special educational needs they may have.

As a rule, schools cannot put children of compulsory school age on a part-time timetable. Part-time timetables should only be used in very exceptional circumstances where it’s in a pupil’s best interests, such as to meet a pupil’s medical needs and enable them to access as much education as possible.

A part-time timetable should be:

• agreed between you and the school
• time-limited, and
• have regular review dates

A part-time timetable must not be treated as a long-term solution and should not be used to manage a pupil’s behaviour.

The statutory guidance Working together to improve school attendance (applicable form 19 August 2024) makes the above clear (see paragraphs 66-67). 

Use of a part-time timetable may be discriminatory. This will depend on whether the part-time timetable is a proportionate way of achieving a legitimate aim that the school may have in using it.

We have lots of resources on our website for children who have medical needs, special educational needs or a disability. 

• If your child is on a part-time timetable due to their medical needs, please see our page on illness.
• If your child is on a part-time timetable due to their special educational needs, please see our pages on how school should be helping and EHC needs assessments and plans.
• For more information on part-time timetables generally, please see our pages on informal exclusions, disability discrimination, and making a complaint about a school.