School days in high school

[SUPerSaver721]

My daughters school has been open to pupils 168 days this school year. That is with all the school holidays, study days and days off for open night. School closed the whole day for open night and teacher training days. I googled and it said schools should be open at least 195 days a year. I'm in northern ireland and it's a high school. Does anyone know if I should contact the education authority about this? Should they be open the 195 days a year?

I don't know how different things are in NI as education is one of those things that varies in each of the Home Nations.

In England, the 195 days includes 5 INSET, or 'Teacher Training' days and school should be open to pupils on 190 of those days.

Whereas no-one can do much about a boiler breaking down, or asbestos being found, I can't see how the school can not be providing lessons on 22 teaching days so I would certainly take it further, yes.
Any contact with the Local Authority will probably start by asking you if you have taken it up with the school, so I'd contact the school and Chair of Governors first.

185 in NI, they issued a "reminder" in 2013
https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/publications/circular-201309-teaching-days-and-hours-attendance

Schools should be open 190 days per year, and teachers need to be in 195 days per year including training. If a school has any planned closures, they should make up the days elsewhere - this doesn't include emergencies where unexpectedly unable to open.

As above, inset days were added on and taken out of what was holiday. If by "study days" though you mean exam leave for Y11 or 13 then that might be why your numbers aren't adding up as that's normal. Y11 have been off since early May so thats a large chunk. If not though, and it's the same in NI as England, I'd be questioning.

No exam days for year 8, 9 and 10. In northern ireland year 8 is your year 7.

I don't think it is that simple- my trust now has a 2 week half term in October "paid for" by adding 30 minutes to the school day. Teachers have 1265 hours a year to be directed in (ie be in school for) but school can decide how to distribute this

Our school day is 9 until 3.15. I have not included half days and there was an extra 3 days closure for a storm. I'm not including them days in the 168. I decided to count up the days as I was thinking they have had so many days off this school year. It's her first year starting high school and I've had to juggle all them days off. Does the 195 days for teachers include days other students are in eg year 9 in but closed to year 8 and 10? Is there a certain amount of teaching hours my child should have in school?

Do you mean 168 days so far this year or 168 days total including the next 4 weeks (as there is still around approx. 20 school days until summer holidays give or take).?

The law in the UK is students are in for 190 days (and teachers for 195 days). The 190 days is a rough guideline "where possible". If adverse weather, a crime, building collapse, urgent repairs or an emergency incident occurs, the local authority would approve extra days off. This is used sparingly though and are usually one-offs. Also most schools may have staggered starts in September for different year groups coming in but this would only affect a day or two.

Some schools have students in for less than the 190 days by extending the school day. A few London schools do this. So students are in for the same number of hours equivalent to 190 days but get more days off.

@blackbird77schools in NI finish this week for summer.

The school finishes this Friday for summer. Monday the 30th June is a teacher training day.

Ahhhh I see. In that case, perplexed! OP double-check on the school calendar and count the days (any study leave days will count as school days also). If students are meant to be in for 190 days in NI, email the school and enquire. They will probably give you a rundown. 22 days less sounds strange!

So do I count the study days as in or off? As they are not in school for them days. Is there any teachers that is able to give me information before speaking to the school.

Yes, study leave days count as school days, as do days when any year 11s are out on college taster days or when any students are out for work experience days. Virtually no Year 11 in any UK school in the country will be in school for 190 school days of lessons in Year 11 because they will be granted study leave days, taster days to visit colleges etc. Study leave during GCSEs can vary. Some schools can give up to a few weeks, some a few days, some none. The majority give at least 1 or 2 weeks of study leave. Also, Year 11's do not (usually) return to school after their last GCSE exam so won't be in school for any school days after the last GCSE exam (for obvious reasons).

It's not that each individual student has to literally be in the school building for 190 days of lessons, it's that the school has to be open 190 for student education. Study leave, school trips, taster days, work experience come out of those 190 days because they count for educational purposes (either educational trips, visiting prospective educational institutions, music, drama or sports trips or self-directed independent learning during GCSE study leave which most Y11s should be capable of doing). So yes, study leave days come out of those 190 days as students are expected to be doing self-directed study. A lot of students are useless at this hence why lots of schools are decreasing the amount of study leave.

She's first year in high school not year 11. Does that count for school days?

Then she should be close to getting the full 190 days give or take! 168 seems low. I would email the school to clarify and they will be able to tell you the total of all the school days your child has had in Year 7 and the reasons that did not total anywhere near 190.

Academies (most schools) are exempt from.the rules you're discussing.

www.education-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/education/2013%2009%20-%20Amended.pdf

The rules are def diff in NI compared to England, having worked in both (primary) and daughter goes to Secondary