'Bring it on' Parents and teachers give thumbs up to idea of a four-day week

“A wonderful idea”, “Bring it on!”, “Yes!”, “Brilliant!”, “Absolutely”.

- Sally Weale

If enthusiasm were all it took to change policy, a four-day week in England’s schools would be all but guaranteed.A Guardian report on Monday saying that the 4 Day Week Foundation had urged the government to pilot four-day working to boost teacher wellbeing and recruitment attracted the interest of hundreds of thousands of our readers.

Teachers and parents responding to a subsequent Guardian callout were overwhelmingly supportive, though many were unsure about the logistics.

Jo Hopkins, a 55-year-old London development director and mother of 11-year-old twins, liked the idea of a four-day week. Her children are autistic and have struggled with school attendance.

“For many autistic kids five days is too much, causing sensory overwhelm and anxiety,” she said. “This is one way of being inclusive.”

Scottish government proposals for a flexible four-day teaching week - allowing teachers a day out of the classroom for preparation, marking and training - suggest schools would remain open to pupils five days a week.