All pupils of compulsory school age are entitled to a full-time education suitable to their age, aptitude and any special educational needs they may have. In very exceptional circumstances, where it is in a pupil’s best interests, there may be a need for a school to provide a pupil of compulsory school age with less than full-time education through a reduced timetable to meet their individual needs. Examples may include, where a medical condition prevents a pupil from attending school or another setting full-time and a part-time timetable is used to help the pupil access as much education as possible.
The use of reduced timetables is briefly covered in Working Together to improve school attendance, however Suttons Reduced Timetable guidance is to supplement this guidance with a fuller set of expectations of when reduced timetables may be used and when they should not be used to ensure there is consistent practice across the local area.