6th Form-3hr lessons

[Syrupent]

Wondering if this is common. DS2 started in 6th form this Sept, his biggest problem is concentrating for the whole lesson as several of them last for three hours, sometimes with no break! No fun for the staff either one assumes. Do others have experience of this? DS1 just finished 6th form (same school) with v similar subjects and did not have this, 2 hr was usual.

[EvilTwins]

Sounds like a timetabling issue. We had double lessons for all sixth form classes last year and it was a bloody nightmare. Aside from having the issue of concentrating for such a long time without a break (students AND teachers!) it meant we only saw the students twice a week, so if one was off ill, they'd missed half the lessons for that week. It's gone back to singles this year - much better.

[cricketballs]

we have this and not just for 6th formers but also GCSE option subjects. I have found that teaching it for the full amount of time without a break is not workable so I do allow them to have 5 mins between lessons and go the toilet, relax etc. If I don't then I can just give up on the last lesson as they and me have had enough and can not mentally take it anymore!

Whilst it works in being able to go through a topic in depth easier I do agree that if a student is ill then rather than just missing one lesson they have missed the whole weeks worth

[crazymum53]

It depends on the subject and type of lesson. You may need lessons this long for A level Science investigations for example. However I would let students have a short break at a suitable point in the lesson for lessons of this length.

[sashh]

Normal in a few places I've taught. I would give students a break in that time.

[Knowsabitabouteducation]

Three hours is outrageous!

Does the school have a lot of part-time teachers?

[radicalsubstitution]

When I was at sixth form college (a very long time ago) all the lessons were three hours (admittedly with a 20 minute break in the middle).

It was great for Chemistry and Physics, as you could cover practical experiments that I now struglle to fit into a 2-hr double with my Year 12s and 13s.

3 hours without any break seems a bit ridiculous.