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Government Says Cutting School to Four Days a Week Could Have 'Damaging Impact'
The petition with 126,014 signatures sought a mandatory four-day week, but the government cited risks to parents, workforce, economy, and equal learning opportunities.
- On January 5, 2026, the Department for Education told MPs at the Houses of Parliament in Westminster it has no plans to require a four-day school week.
- Natalie Elliott's petition, set up by the mum-of-two, collected 126,014 signatories and requested one-hour longer days to create a four-day week.
- The Government points to timetable math: state-funded, mainstream schools must deliver a minimum school week of 32 hours and 30 minutes, requiring an additional 1 hour and 38 minutes per day and minimum school days of over 8 hours if compressed into four days.
- Ministers warned reducing the school week would force parents to find extra childcare and strain the country's economy, while supporters cited the 4 Day Week Foundation on easing teacher recruitment and retention.
- Citing evidence, the Government referenced Education Policy Institute showing extra school time boosts vulnerable pupils' attainment, while protests in six cities allied with the Protest to Fight School Fines campaign seek up to 10 days per year fine-free for parents.
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timesandstar.co.uk
timesandstar.co.ukCumbrian MP responds to four-day school week petition which made Commons debate
A Cumbrian MP and Minister for Children and Families has addressed a petition in Parliament which proposed reducing the school week to four days.
·Cumbria, United Kingdom
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Total News Sources35
Leaning Left1Leaning Right0Center32Last UpdatedBias Distribution97% Center
Bias Distribution
- 97% of the sources are Center
97% Center
C 97%
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