Proponents of the four-day school week argue that it could alleviate the stress experienced by teachers, who are often stretched thin due to long hours and heavy workloads. At the same time, some parents see it as a solution to the growing concern about student mental health. However, critics warn that changing the school structure may not be as simple as it seems.
A Solution for Teacher Burnout
One of the central arguments for the four-day week is its potential to reduce burnout among teachers, a concern that has reached crisis levels in recent years. According to a 55-year-old parent of twins, the current school schedule places immense pressure on children with special needs, particularly those on the autism spectrum. She believes that fewer school days could help ease the sensory overload and anxiety often experienced by such students.
Teachers, too, are feeling the strain. A primary school educator from the South West explained that many teachers are working over 50 hours a week, leaving little time for personal life or self-care. A four-day week with a pared-down curriculum would allow the fifth day to be spent planning, preparing and decompressing, so that weekends could be freed up. Teachers would be fresher and more resilient.” they said.
The 4 Day Week Foundation, which has been pushing for this shift, has highlighted that this change could not only improve the quality of life for educators but could also help address teacher shortages, particularly in areas like special education. The foundation believes that such a change would lead to more job satisfaction, which in turn would make the profession more attractive to new recruits.
Student Wellbeing: A Primary Concern for Parents
Beyond the classroom, many parents are voicing concerns about the toll that long school weeks are taking on children’s mental health. Increasingly, parents are prioritising emotional wellbeing over academic results, with one mother of four noting that “the school day seems exhausting” and that “the number one concern for parents today is not academic results but their child’s mental health.”
The four-day week is seen by many as a way to address this growing issue. The impact of the traditional five-day school week on students’ mental health cannot be overstated, with reports of heightened stress, anxiety, and a rise in cases of burnout among young people. Some experts argue that shorter weeks might allow children the time they need to recharge, reducing stress and promoting a more balanced lifestyle.
However, not everyone is convinced that a four-day school week is the right solution. A deputy headteacher in the North West cautioned that simply closing school for one extra day could create even more challenges. “Our approach needs a fundamental overhaul,” they said. This highlights the complexity of the issue: while the idea of a four-day school week is appealing in theory, it would require careful consideration of how to maintain educational standards and manage logistics, particularly for working parents who rely on consistent school hours.
