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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

4 day working week … for schools.

212 replies

AutumnIsHere21 · 04/03/2023 14:42

Inspired by another thread discussing the merits of a three day weekend and following on from the results of a study which concluded that a four day working week (for full time pay) had numerous benefits for employers and employees.

I just wondered how people would feel if schools followed suit and were only open Monday-Thursday.

Full disclosure: I’m a teacher so - obviously - would be very much in favour! 😆

OP posts:

Weatherwax134 · 04/03/2023 14:43

I'm a teacher as well and my worry would be fitting in the curriculum. On the face of it I love a 4 day week- I'd even like it if I had to be 5 days in school, but one day was reserved for prep and paperwork. We're working right up to the first day of study leave with Yr 11 because there just isn't enough time for the spec, so I think that would need review.

noblegiraffe · 04/03/2023 14:44

If we can't get any more teachers we may end up there anyway. Think MP Jess Phillips's son was at a school that had to close on Fridays?

DancingDaughter50 · 04/03/2023 14:46

I could be completely wrong but I'm sure children learn better in shorter time periods? By 3 ish they are totally gone.

angelopal · 04/03/2023 14:47

Would that mean reducing the amount of teaching time or would schools be open longer during the days they are open? Would it be less hours for the same pay?

As a working parent in an industry where it would not be possible to move to a 4 day week then not sure what we would do with the kids on the day it's closed. I know school is not childcare but working week is planned round them.

CremeEggThief · 04/03/2023 14:48

Haven't a lot of schools not been able to offer a full 5 day a week for years already though?

TheMoth · 04/03/2023 14:59

You could do a 4 day working well and still have schools open 5 days. You'd just need more staff. For me, that 5th day would effectively be a wfh day, so I could have the weekend off and not turn up to work feeling strung out on Mondays. Eyes 37 mock essays still to do today.

honeylulu · 04/03/2023 15:00

School day would be too long (learning wise) especially for primary age kids. Mine did before and after school care 8-6 and coped fine with it but the out of school bits were play not learning. I did a law diploma via distance learning and we'd go into the college for an intense four day session every couple of months, 9-5 and even as a young adult I really struggled to concentrate by about 3.30 or so. Also what would be the plan for childcare on the 5th day? Because there isn't any for term time school age children at the moment and sadly I can't see my employer ever going for a 4 day week. (Law firm - trials and hearings are listed all 5 days of the week, unless the Court Service went 4 days too.) So in short nearly EVERYTHING would have to be 4 days for schools to viable be 4 days.

Botw1 · 04/03/2023 15:02

Absolutely not

Theyre hardly there as it is

2ndMrsdeWinter · 04/03/2023 15:04

We would be delighted. Two days with my kids are not enough. I’m not being sarcastic.

WelshNerd · 04/03/2023 15:05

This is not a serious argument. We have a standard 5 day working week at the moment but many services are available 7 days.

There would be significant challenges in renegotiating teachers contracts to fit with the principles of a 4 day working week but less school days is unlikely to be one of them.

PomPomChatton · 04/03/2023 15:10

Many countries in Europe manage a 4.5 day school week, with Wednesday afternoons off.

trebarwith1 · 04/03/2023 15:14

4 day school week would be brilliant imo

Lucimaya · 04/03/2023 15:19

I have colleagues who fit full time hours in 4 days, however, other colleagues cover them (and sometimes that's a sore point) but I don't think it's realistic for all industries to shut down, for example police, emergency healthcare, trains/transport and many other industries who work 7 days a week - what happens to their children on a Friday? (Or whatever day it might be) if not at school? Childminders etc have limited capacity. Sometimes it's bad enough juggling childcare at the weekend, I'm not sure all grandparents would want to take on additional hours.

1AngelicFruitCake · 04/03/2023 15:27

As a teacher, what are your reasons for it?

I’m a teacher and I’m against
• fitting it everything that needs to be taught
• many children will have the extra day as extra tv/tablet time so what’s the point?
• vulnerable children need more time at home, not less!

MooseBeTimeForSnow · 04/03/2023 15:27

I’m in Alberta, Canada. My son has No School Fridays on a regular basis. He’s got two this month. Staff are in school though doing prep work etc.

Cheshiresun · 04/03/2023 15:29

Absolutely, as long as all parents with school age children also get the right to work only 4 days a week on full time pay😀

fajitaaaa · 04/03/2023 15:31

Are they going to be able to meet the full curriculum? Can I have Friday off too? If both of these are yes then sure.

Flitter123 · 04/03/2023 15:33

What about 4 days learning with teachers and one day sports/ arts and crafts with specialist coaches and art teachers? That way everybody’s happy. It’s actually kind of what they do in private schools ( one afternoon is all games matches).

user567543 · 04/03/2023 15:34

Yeah if Fridays were filled with clubs run by specialist teachers it'd be an absolute winner - or - if there were shorter holidays and fewer random days off.

Rememberal · 04/03/2023 15:35

Dunno if it's a Scottish thing or just Edinburgh (or Lothian & Borders?) specifically but we've always had a half day on a Friday and I remember being shocked to learn this wasn't a universal thing. Every job I've ever had that wasn't retail shifts in college has been a half day Friday too.

I love it, always felt like the weekend starts on a Thursday night.

Should definitely be universal.

BooseysMom · 04/03/2023 15:36

Botw1 · 04/03/2023 15:02

Absolutely not

Theyre hardly there as it is

Exaxtky my thoughts!

BooseysMom · 04/03/2023 15:36

Apologies for typo in pp

JaninaDuszejko · 04/03/2023 15:39

So if schools were to move to 4 days a week either

school holidays need to be shortened to maintain the total number of school days
the school day needs to be lengthened to maintain the total number of teaching hours
the curriculum needs to be reduced by 20% to reflect the reduction in teaching time.

Would it be a case of everyone doing Mon to Thur or will it be 4 days in, 3 days out of school for kids but all on different timetables so Billy does Mon to Thur, Lizzy does Wed to Sat and Alex does Fri to Sat?

Forever42 · 04/03/2023 15:44

I think parents working four days a week in other industries would expect schools to be open 5 days, unless all four day weeks were Monday- Thursday (unlikely as healthcare, retail etc wouldn't want everyone with the same day off). Of course it would do wonders for already woeful recruitment and retention of teachers if they had to work five days while many other industries switched to four.

TheMoth · 04/03/2023 15:45

Schools stay open 5 days.
Teachers do 4 but not the same 4. Kids would still be taught. Dd is in primary and has 3 teachers as it is.

Teachers in secondary would have fewer classes overall. I still remember the heady days of 5 frees a week, instead of 2.5.

I think the only reason this has been posted, is because other jobs appear to be starting to do it.

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