Effective Interventions

Below you will find guidance and clarification about the use of part-time timetables including Norfolk County Council's notification requirements.

DfE Guidance is clear that all pupils of compulsory school age are entitled to a full-time education. In very exceptional circumstances and where it is in a pupil's best interests, there may be a need for a temporary part-time timetable to meet a pupil's individual needs. For example, where a medical condition prevents a pupil from attending full-time education and a part-time timetable is considered as part of a re-integration package.The Department for Education guidance 'Working together to improve school attendance (opens new window)' outlines clearly expectations regarding the use of part-time timetables and states: "A part-time timetable should not be used to manage a pupil's behaviour".

A part-time timetable must not be treated as a long-term solution and must have a time limit by which point the pupil is expected to attend full-time or be provided with alternative provision. There should be formal arrangements in place for regularly reviewing it with the pupil and their parents.

DfE guidance states: "In agreeing to a part-time timetable, a school has agreed to a pupil being absent from school for part of the week or day and therefore must record the absence accordingly (normally using code X or C2)."  This is a safeguarding matter as every child is legally entitled to a full-time education and the law requires that children are kept safe in school. The Local Authority (LA) needs to be assured that schools are not placing children on part-time or re-integration timetables for longer than is necessary.

Schools must notify the Attendance Service of any part-time timetables at the point they are agreed. Schools must scan a signed a Part-time timetables plan (Word doc) [79KB] and send to the Attendance Team via email to csattendance@norfolk.gov.uk. If the child is looked after or previously looked after, the information should also be copied to the Virtual School: virtual.schools@norfolk.gov.uk. Please do not send originals. It is important that schools retain the original signed copy for their own records.

Further Part-time timetable guidance (PDF) [227KB] has been devised for schools and other education settings regarding the use of part-time timetables. The guidance sets out Norfolk County Council's position on the use of part-time timetables and provides a framework for school practice and other professionals working with schools.

Any professional who is made aware of the use of a part-time timetable should check that the school has notified the Attendance Team. If a professional believes that the Team has not been notified of the part-time timetable and/or they are concerned about the plan in place, they should contact the Attendance Team on 01603 223681 or email csattendance@norfolk.gov.uk (opens new window).