Extending the school day is an interesting talking point but that's it for now

The idea of an extended school day is back in the news again thanks to a report from Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza. You can read what she is suggesting here.

It’s an old chestnut of course, having been discussed, in one form or another, at various points in time for many years, and having most recently featured as a centrepiece in Kevan Collins' education recovery plans – before the plan was shot down by the Treasury, prompting Sir Kevan’s rightfully furious resignation as Education Recovery Commissioner.

The evidence shows that there is merit in the idea. The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) says it can add an extra three months’ progress over the course of a year. And the Education Policy Institute think tank concluded that there is strong evidence in favour of extending the school day if done in the right way.