Schools could introduce four-day weeks and reduce learning hours in major blow to working families

SCHOOLS have warned parents that they could introduce a four-day week because of tight budgets.

Timetables will also be restricted and more than half plan to slash staff and increase class sizes.

But parent groups slammed the plans, saying it would affect working families’ jobs and betray the children, the reports.

Arabella Skinner, director of parent pressure group UsForThem, added: “Parents are in despair as to what this means for their children’s education, and also the impact this will have on their ability to hold down their jobs as we enter a cost of living crisis.”

Some 40 per cent of schools are thinking about reducing the curriculum while 98 per cent said they will have to make savings.

ASCL general secretary Geoff Barton urged the government to prioritise education in its funding plans.

He added: “School leaders in this survey use words such as catastrophic and devastating to describe the financial situation they are facing and the impact on their pupils.”

A Department for Education spokesman said: “We understand that schools are facing cost pressures which is why we are providing schools with £53.8billion this year in core funding, including a cash increase of £4billion for this financial year.”

They said schools should plan to deliver the minimum 32.5-hour week, or 190 days of teaching a year.

Last week it was revealed that almost 90 per cent of schools faced going bust next year.

Half of schools are expected to be in the red this year and there are fears essential teaching and support staff will be lost as a result. 

Larger class sizes, reduced curriculum options, and less support for students will also be a consequence, heads warned. 

Heads and academy leaders said further proposed spending cuts will push many over the edge. 

And a teacher pay rise, which is at five percent for most and still below inflation, is seen as essential but will also make schools struggle.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, told the : “There are no easy fixes left.

“Schools are cut to the bone. This will mean cutting teaching hours, teaching assistants, and teachers.”