Prescribing the minimum annual number of learning hours: consultation

1. Introduction

1.1 This consultation sets out Ministers' proposal to set in law the minimum number of learning hours provided in public and grant aided schools, and invites views on this proposal and its implementation.

1.2 Section 21 of the Education (Scotland) Act 2016 ("the 2016 Act") inserts section 2ZA into the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 ("the 1980 Act") which makes provision about learning hours and gives powers to Scottish Ministers to make regulations to prescribe the minimum number of learning hours per academic year. This consultation paper sets out what we mean by the term learning hours, in which types of educational setting the provisions would apply and gives an overview of the current position in Scotland and internationally. It proposes, and invites your views, at what level the minimum number of learning hours should be set for different types of school and explores what this could mean in practice for schools and local authorities in different types of educational provision.

1.3 The regulations and guidance will specify the minimum number of learning hours per annum, how these should apply, including any variation where appropriate, and effectively provide a statutory basis for the pupil year.

1.4 There is currently some variation in the school hours offered across Scotland that has arisen for a range of reasons. For example, the variation may relate to rural transport requirements, to meet the needs of the youngest pupils or to ensure older pupils can access flexible options as part of their senior phase. We wish to understand, and give careful consideration to, this variation, both to avoid unintended consequences where this variation is appropriate but also to ensure that similar and equitable provision is available to pupils wherever they go to school in Scotland.

1.5 There are also differences in local delivery, for example, with some areas operating an asymmetric week with some longer and some shorter days. There is no intention to constrain this local variation.

1.6 We welcome views on all aspects of this proposal.