An extended school day from 8am to 6pm is being considered by the government as part of the Covid recovery plan, reports in the Times Educational Supplement suggest.
The report said that ministers are currently considering two options, a compulsory half hour extension with an academic focus or a longer 8am to 6pm school day that would involve extra-curricular activities and which would also be voluntary.
Education recovery commissioner Sir Kevan Collins, has been previously quoted as saying that ‘teachers will be asked to increase learning time for pupils as part of the catch-up effort.’
It is also understood that Sir Collins is in favour of a compulsory extension to the school day to guarantee that disadvantaged pupils attend.
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “We are working with parents, teachers and schools to develop a long-term plan to make sure all pupils have the chance to recover from the impact of the pandemic as quickly and comprehensively as possible – and we have appointed Sir Kevan Collins as education recovery commissioner to advise on this work.”
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