§ Lord Hunt of Kings Heathasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether school governing bodies are required to consult with parents before agreeing to make substantive changes to the school day. [HL888]
§ Baroness Ashton of UphollandThe Changing of the School Session Times (England) Regulations 1999 set out to the governing bodies of a community, voluntary controlled or community special school the procedure for changing school session times. The regulations do require that consultation be undertaken with parents before agreeing to make substantive changes to the school day.
The regulations do not apply to foundation, foundation special, or voluntary aided schools but we advise these schools to follow the general principles of 43WA the regulations in terms of consultation and the giving of notice.
§ Lord Hunt of Kings Heathasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have given approval to Kings Heath Primary School, Birmingham, to move to a four-and-a-half day week. [HL890]
§ Baroness Ashton of UphollandThe School Standards Minister has not given approval to Kings Heath Primary School, Birmingham, to move to a four-and-a-half day week.
§ Lord Hunt of Kings Heathasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in considering an application by Kings Heath Primary School, Birmingham, to change statutory school time to four-and-a-half days a week, they will require the local education authority and governors to seek the views of the parents. [HL891]
§ Baroness Ashton of UphollandThe consultation required will depend upon the nature of any application. A proposal to change the length of school sessions with effect from the following September would require (under the The Changing of School Session Times (England) Regulations 1999) the governing body to consult and seek the views of parents before making changes. The local education authority has an opportunity to comment on the proposal; but there is no requirement on the local education authority to seek the views of parents.
However, if the governing body wished to make such changes earlier, or to reduce the number of sessions, it would need to apply under the Education Act 2002 ("Power to Innovate"). In this case it would need to consult the local education authority and such persons as appear to the government body to be appropriate. Guidance advises applicants to consult "all persons who are likely to be affected by a proposal".
The Schools Standards Minister in making his decision will have regard to the consultation that has taken place.