Horsham secondary school cuts Friday hours under new timetable
Pupils at a Horsham secondary school are now finishing early on Fridays, after governors approved a change to the school week earlier this year.
Tanbridge House School's Friday finishing time was brought forward from 3.25pm to 2.15pm from the start of the new autumn term.
The decision followed a six-week consultation with parents, staff, students and other stakeholders, with more than 770 parental responses received.
The school said 66 per cent of parents who responded supported the change, while a further 14 per cent were neutral.
The move was approved by governors following the consultation, with the school saying it was intended to improve the wellbeing of students and staff and bring the school more closely in line with other local secondary schools.
The school has also rejected suggestions that the change was made for financial reasons or to prevent staff losses.
A statement from the school read: “The change to Friday arrangements was not made for financial reasons or to avoid potential staff losses.
"The proposal was based on a wellbeing principle for both students and staff and was possible given that Tanbridge House School was previously working a longer school week than other secondary schools locally.”
Tanbridge currently provides 33 hours and 45 minutes of curriculum time over a five-day week, which is one hour and 15 minutes above the Department for Education's minimum expectation of 32 hours and 30 minutes.
The school's consultation documents state that governors wanted to retain the existing school structure from Monday to Thursday, while reducing the Friday school day by one hour and ten minutes.
The documents also highlighted transport problems, including buses frequently arriving late at the end of the school day.
The school said the earlier finish would reduce waiting and supervision time on Fridays, while giving students and staff a slightly longer weekend.
Its consultation document states: “Staff wellbeing will be enhanced through this proposal as not only will it achieve a more equitable length of school week, but it will also align more closely with statutory expectations and local practice.”
The school also makes clear that the change is not intended to reduce teaching or enrichment opportunities.
After-school clubs and enrichment activities continue on Fridays, while students who cannot leave at 2.15pm can use a supervised study room, attend an activity or club, or remain in the learning resources centre until 4.30pm.
However, school buses do not run after 2.15pm on Fridays, meaning parents need to make alternative transport arrangements for children staying at school.
The school said the change has ‘no cost implications’ and is ‘not a cost-saving measure’.
“The rationale is firmly rooted in staff and student wellbeing, operational efficiency and system fairness, rather than financial considerations,” a document stated.
The new Friday timetable came into effect at the start of the 2026 autumn term.