School Consultations
How long should a consultation be open for and when?
The length of a consultation can vary depending on the complexity of the proposal and who it affects. Some consultations may run for a few weeks, while others, especially those with wide-reaching impacts, might need to be open for longer to give everyone a fair chance to take part. Always check the relevant DfE guidance for your specific proposal to make sure you meet statutory requirements.
What matters most is that the consultation is meaningful: people must have enough time to understand the information, consider their views, and respond.
If the consultation falls over school holiday periods, particularly the summer break, it's important to allow extra time so that term dates don't limit parents', carers', and staff's ability to take part.
