Reduced Timetables in Wales: A Parent Guide

When a child is struggling to manage a full school day because of anxiety, medical needs, sensory overwhelm, chronic illness or unmet ALN needs, schools sometimes suggest a reduced timetable. This is sometimes described as a phased return and is meant to be short term and supportive.

But parents are rarely told the legal rules or what good practice looks like.
This guide explains your rights in Wales and offers practical steps to protect your child and ensure they continue to receive suitable education.

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⭐ Linking This Guide with Flexi Schooling

A reduced timetable is not the same as flexi schooling. If you are exploring any of these options, see our full Flexi Schooling article here:

👉 Flexi Schooling in Wales: Parent Guide
https://learnwithoutlimitscic.blogspot.com/2025/12/flexi-schooling-in-wales-complete-guide.html

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⭐ What Is a Reduced Timetable?

A reduced timetable means your child attends school for fewer hours or fewer days than expected for their age. This might be:

• mornings only

• arriving late or leaving early

• specific subjects only

• attending two or three days per week

A reduced timetable does not remove the school’s legal responsibility to provide education.

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⭐ Is It Legal?

Yes — but only when:

1. The parent has agreed

2. It is short term

3. There is a written plan

4. It is in the child’s best interests

5. The school reviews it frequently

6. It is never used as a disciplinary measure

If these rules are not followed, the timetable may amount to an informal exclusion, which is unlawful.

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⭐ Reduced Timetable vs Flexi Schooling vs EOTAS

✔ Reduced Timetable

• school led

• temporary

• parent must agree

• school remains responsible for educational provision

✔ Flexi Schooling

• parent led

• long term

• requires headteacher approval

• school is only responsible for on site learning

Full guide:
👉 Flexi Schooling in Wales: Parent Guide
[INSERT BLOGGER URL HERE]

✔ EOTAS

Education Other Than At School

• arranged by the Local Authority

• used when a school cannot meet needs

• often linked to IDPs

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⭐ When a Reduced Timetable Is Most Appropriate

⭐ 1. Medical Recovery or Chronic Illness

For example:

• Long Covid

• fatigue disorders

• post viral symptoms

• post surgery recovery

• chronic pain

A reduced timetable may help build stamina without overwhelming the child.

⭐ 2. Anxiety or Emotionally Based School Avoidance

When the child is willing to attempt small steps but cannot manage a full day.

It should sit alongside:

• counselling

• graduated exposure

• trauma informed support

• CAMHS or GP involvement

⭐ 3. Sensory Overload or Autistic Burnout

For children who struggle with:

• crowded corridors

• transitions

• noise levels

• unpredictable routines

The timetable should be paired with sensory support, not replace it.

⭐ 4. A Planned Phased Return After Absence

This must include:

• a clear start date

• a clear end date

• a step by step increase plan

• review meetings

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⭐ When a Reduced Timetable Is Not Appropriate

❌ 1. As a long term arrangement

Reduced timetables must be temporary.
If your child still cannot cope, the school must escalate support through the IDP process or request EOTAS.

❌ 2. As a behaviour management tool

If used to “send a child home early” due to behaviour, it is an informal exclusion, which is unlawful.

❌ 3. When the child is given no work

Schools must ensure learning continues during the hours your child is not attending.

❌ 4. When a child has unmet ALN needs

Reduced hours cannot replace:

• assessments

• intervention

• ALN support

• specialist input

❌ 5. When the plan is verbal only

Anything not written down tends to drift.
Parents must see a written plan.

❌ 6. When the reduced timetable masks a deeper concern

For example:

• bullying

• trauma

• medical deterioration

• school placement breakdown

These require proper assessment.

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⭐ What a Proper Reduced Timetable Plan Should Include

A good plan must set out:

• the reason the timetable is needed

• the start date and end date

• what support is in place

• how school work will be provided

• attendance coding

• named staff contacts

• review meeting dates

• next steps if the child cannot increase attendance

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⭐ Should the School Nurse Be Involved?

The school nursing team should be involved whenever a reduced timetable relates to the child’s health or medical needs. Schools cannot make clinical decisions about stamina, recovery or fitness for full time attendance without appropriate health input.

⭐ When Involvement Is Appropriate

School nurses should be involved when the reduced timetable is linked to:

• Long Covid

• chronic fatigue or post viral symptoms

• ongoing pain or migraines

• asthma or long term respiratory conditions

• epilepsy or seizure recovery

• diabetes management

• recovery from surgery

• unexplained illness requiring assessment

Nurses can advise on:

• safe levels of attendance

• phased return planning

• medical evidence needed

• referral routes to paediatrics, CAMHS or therapies

• when medical needs tuition should be considered

⭐ When Involvement Is Essential

You should request school nurse involvement when:

• a reduced timetable is suggested because of health but no clinician has assessed the child

• the child cannot manage school due to fatigue or physical deterioration

• the timetable is becoming long term

• there is a possibility of needing home or hospital tuition

• attendance is being challenged despite ongoing illness

⭐ When It May Not Be Required

If the reduced timetable is related solely to:

• sensory overload

• anxiety

• emotionally based school avoidance

• unmet ALN needs

then the ALNCo usually leads.
However, if distress presents with physical symptoms, nurses can still support onward referral.

⭐ How to Request Their Involvement

Parents can say:

“Because this reduced timetable relates to [health issue], I would like the school nursing team to be involved so that we can ensure the plan meets my child’s medical needs and follows appropriate clinical guidance.”

Schools cannot refuse a reasonable request for health involvement.

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⭐ Attendance Coding

Schools should use:

• C code for authorised absence

• I code for illness when relevant

They must not:

• use unauthorised absence codes

• pressure you to deregister

• use the timetable to artificially inflate attendance statistics

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⭐ If It Is Not Working

Ask immediately for:

• an IDP assessment or IDP review

• a multi agency meeting

• ALNCo involvement

• medical needs tuition

• consideration of EOTAS

Record everything in writing.

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⭐ Template Letter: Request for Reduced Timetable Plan

Subject: Request for Reduced Timetable Plan and Review Framework

Dear [Headteacher / ALNCo],

I am writing to confirm our discussion about placing my child, [name], on a reduced timetable.

I am willing to consider this as a temporary supportive measure, provided that we have a written plan that includes:

• the start and end dates

• the reason for the timetable

• the support being provided

• how school work will be supplied

• attendance coding

• how progress will be monitored

• the date of the next review

I also request confirmation that this reduced timetable is not an informal exclusion. If the timetable needs to continue beyond the review date, please arrange an IDP assessment or review so we can ensure that [name] receives appropriate support under the ALN Code for Wales.

Kind regards,
[Your Name]

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⭐ Sources 

• Welsh Government, Inclusion and Pupil Support Guidance 2016

• Welsh Government, Education Other Than At School: Guidance 2023

• ALN Code for Wales 2021

• Attendance Codes Guidance (Wales)

• Estyn reports on reduced timetables and informal exclusions