Reduced timetables
A reduced or part-time timetable is a temporary reduction in the amount of education your child receives compared with their school’s full-time offer.
Schools should only use this in exceptional circumstances, where it is in your child’s best interests and meets their individual needs. It must not be used as a behaviour management tool.
Schools should understand the reasons for your child’s behaviour. This may include trauma, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), or mental or physical health needs.
Schools should use their own expertise and seek advice from other services, including:
- the educational psychology service
- the special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) drop-in
- Children and Families, Contact Swindon
How a reduced timetable is agreed
A reduced timetable must be temporary and agreed before it starts.
This requires:
- your understanding and written agreement, and the agreement of the school
- consultation with relevant professionals, including:
- your child’s social worker, if they are involved with social care
- the Swindon Virtual School team if your child is looked after
- email: vsadmin@swindon.gov.uk
Monitoring and review
Reduced timetables must be carefully monitored.
- Limited duration
- an initial reduced timetable should not last longer than six weeks
- Regular reviews
- the arrangement must be reviewed at least every two weeks
- the aim is to increase attendance gradually until your child returns to full-time education
Safeguarding
All reduced timetable arrangements must include a risk assessment. This must follow the Department for Education guidance on keeping children safe in education.
Any risks identified must be managed appropriately.
If there is evidence your child would be at significant risk when not in school, a reduced timetable must not be used.
Further guidance and contact
Read national guidance on working together to improve school attendance.
If you need advice about reduced timetables or school absence, email reducedtimetables@swindon.gov.uk.