Reduced timetable & support plan

[Your name]
11 November 2026

Dear Headteacher,

Re: Request for a School Anxiety Support Plan and temporary reduced timetable for [Child's name]

My child is experiencing emotionally based school non-attendance (EBSNA). I would like to work with the school to agree a plan that helps them return safely and gradually.

What makes school hard right now:
[triggers]

What helps:
[coping strategies]

Proposed plan:
1. Temporary reduced timetable: [hours], increasing gradually by agreement.
2. Safe arrival and departure times that avoid crowded gates and corridors.
3. A designated calm space and named adult: [safe space / adult].
4. An immediate pause on attendance rewards, sanctions and public attendance tracking, which are increasing my child's anxiety.
5. Permission to use agreed coping tools and a time-out card without sanction.
6. A written review on [date].

Under sections 20 and 21 of the Equality Act 2010, schools must make reasonable adjustments for pupils whose mental health or neurodivergence has a substantial and long-term effect on daily life. DfE guidance "Working together to improve school attendance" (2024) states that a reduced timetable should be temporary, have a clear review date and be agreed with parents. Paragraph 6.17 of the SEND Code of Practice 2015 also asks schools to consider whether attendance difficulties point to unmet SEN.

Please may we meet within the next 10 school days to agree this plan in writing.

Yours sincerely,

[Your name]