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Original poster

Do you think 25 mins lunch break is too short?

63 replies

VivaLeBeaver · 13/06/2015 14:40

Dds school have sent a letter home saying the day is being.

The mid morning break is been reduced from 15 to 10 mins and lunch is being reduced from 35 mins to 25 mins. That's a 25 min gap from the end of of one lesson to the beginning of the next.

By the time they've actually left the classroom and met up with friends and sat down and started eating and then had to think about making sure they get to afternoon lessons in time you're looking at a 15 min break.

That's if they have a pack up. If they have to queue at the canteen to be served a hot meal it'll be more like 5 mins to eat. The letter does say they're looking at an app to pre order food and more vending machines to speed up lunch queue! But they'll still have to queue to be served.

I just feel a bit sad that there doesn't seem to be any thought about the importance of kids actually having a bit of time with their friends.

OP posts:
CamelHump · 13/06/2015 17:13

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EvilTwins · 13/06/2015 17:07

Has anyone else looked at the photo the op posted? She's misunderstood, or is deliberately throwing in duff information to make people agree.

Yes, 25 mins is short, but I go from tutor period to lesson 1 to lesson 2 with no breaks at all, then after a 15 minute morning break, we go straight through to 1.15. In the picture the OP has posted, there's a 5 min break (long enough to nip to the loo if necessary) for lesson changeover plus 2 x 25 min breaks. I'm guessing the school has already consulted with staff if this has now gone out to parents.

CamelHump · 13/06/2015 17:07

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DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 13/06/2015 17:05

Ds has ten minutes in the morning and then 40 mins for lunch and that doesn't start until 1.40. I've given up trying to understand tbhHmm

CamelHump · 13/06/2015 17:05

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DoctorDonnaNoble · 13/06/2015 17:03

We have 20 minutes for morning break and 55 for lunch. Lunch time is still pushed for time when you factor in activities, helping students and detentions. I can imagine recruitment and retention of staff will really be an issue.

Murdermysteryreader · 13/06/2015 16:54

So no time for kids to kick a football around. Staff won't want to go through things at the end of a lesson or help those that get stuck as they will be bolting for their lunch. Getting something to eat, a hot drink and a wee will be impossible in this time. Will this affect staff retention? And recruitment. All very well for the SLT who can eat and have a loo break anytime. Poor children

EvilTwins · 13/06/2015 16:49

It also says that lessons 6 & 7 are for "some" 6th form and "some" year 11 students.

EvilTwins · 13/06/2015 16:48

That states morning break is 25 mins plus 5 mins changeover time between lessons. In total, the breaks amount to an hour.

Not saying I agree - where I teach we have 20 mins in the morning and 40 for lunch. Most of the kids eat more at morning break. Our lunchtime is 13.15 which probably explains why.

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 13/06/2015 16:48

So with a non academy is there a legal minimum time for lunch?

OP posts:
CamelHump · 13/06/2015 16:36

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Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 13/06/2015 16:34

Bloody hell, lunch time isn't till 1:30!

Do you think 25 mins lunch break is too short?
OP posts:
meglet · 13/06/2015 16:17

too short. crap for pupils ,and staff too I expect.

They all need time to refuel and refresh themselves.

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 13/06/2015 16:11

At the moment all the clubs are on aWeds afternoon. They can't be after school as 80% of kids catch a bus home at 3pm.

Now it's going to be lessons until 3pm there won't be any clubs.

OP posts:
CamelHump · 13/06/2015 16:11

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littlesupersparks · 13/06/2015 16:06

Ours was 30 minutes for years and was finally extended to 40. It made a massive difference. IMO 30 minutes actual break (ie with 5 minutes movement time on each end of the break) works well. There is not much time for socialising and clubs/detentions are all after school. Many of our students stay in school until 4.30 to attend clubs or work in the library. There are two lots of buses at 3pm and 4.30.

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 13/06/2015 16:05

I never thought about the staff hating it and wanting to leave Sad

Id heard a rumour the Weds early finish (1pm) was going to stop so was expecting that. So they've gained two hours a week from stopping that. Not sure they need another 50mins by slashing lunch time.

OP posts:
Pipbin · 13/06/2015 16:04

This kind of stuff is why we need to be marching in the streets about academies. They can do what they like.
Surely the breaks aren't enough for the adults who at least have Union backing.

YoureAllABunchOfBastards · 13/06/2015 16:03

Bloody hell.

If our Y11 stay back - usually for an hour, so til 4.30 - we try and give them a drink and biscuits to keep them going or ignore them nipping out for a quick fag. That's with a full 45 minute dinner break at half twelve as well.

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 13/06/2015 16:03

They're not going to listen to me moaning about it are they?

OP posts:
DioneTheDiabolist · 13/06/2015 16:00

I am a slow eater. 25minutes for lunch is ridiculous.

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 13/06/2015 15:56

The council will never pay for two lots of buses.

So either everyone hangs around for two hours waiting for the Years 11 and sixth form or those older kids make their own way home?

OP posts:
5madthings · 13/06/2015 15:55

Yanbu it's crap, my boys academy has done the same thing re break and lunch and extended the school day on three days of the week.

Oddly enough staff are leaving in droves. Ds1 has six more exams to take next week and then he leaves, ds2 is in yr8 and we are looking at alternative schools.

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 13/06/2015 15:55

That's what I think.

Even the younger years will be knackered with such a short break.

Plus they've not said what will happen about the school bus which currently leaves at 3pm.

This past few weeks anyone taking exams have missed the bus as the gcse doesn't finish till 3pm and the school buses don't wait. So parents I know have been having to drive the 8 miles to pick their kid up. But I work and can't do that. I was worried About sorting that for a few weeks of exams but now I'll have a whole 3 years possibly to worry about it.

OP posts:
noblegiraffe · 13/06/2015 15:43

Y11 will have to stay till 16:50 with only a 25 minute break for lunch? And they expect them to actually be capable of learning anything after about 3? They'll be dead on their feet.

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