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02.20 Can a special school provide a less than 32.5 hours a week of school hours?

Noddy 'No-nonsense' Guide to SEN law
Noddy No-nonsense Guide

Noddy No-nonsense Guide
Authors: David Wolfe KC, Leon Glenister
25 Feb 2026

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  • 25 Feb 2026

  • Yes

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    Yes. The DfE publishes non-statutory guidance ‘Length of the School Week’ which provides a minimum expectation for mainstream schools to provide 32.5 hours, and specialist provision (which includes special schools) to have an “overall ambition to increase the length of the school week, where it is beneficial for their pupils to do so”. That guidance (and following it) is not in itself unlawful discrimination: R (CHO) v GB of Lonsdale School [2026] EWHC 166 (Admin). But the legality of any decision to reduce hours will still depend on its circumstances.

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