to ask if your dcs get an afternoon playtime in Key Stage 1?

[Northernlurker]

I'm sorry, am posting for traffic

I would be very grateful if you could say if they do or not, very roughly where you are and if you think it's a good thing that they do or don't.

Changes are afoot in my dcs school and I'm bloody annoyed. Just wondering if I'm out of step. Won't stop me being annoyed but informs the argument somewhat.

Yes mine do in ks1 & ks2. Im near Liverpool and i think most schools do round here. There are a couple that dont and go home earlier. I am glad mine do they would be bouncing off the walls without one.

Thanks. KS2 as well? Ours don't.

Yes. Morning and afternoon break, piece of fruit or veg during both and usually outside unless there's a hurricane or blizzard. They certainly need the afternoon break. KS2 only have a morning break and you have to provide fruit/veg from home.

We're in Norfolk and I'm aware I've given you far more info than you asked for.

Yes they do break or choosing time.

I have worked in a fair few schools & I expect you will get a 50?50 split on ths one. Personally, I like the system of the class teacher taking the children out for a break as & when they feel it suits in an afternoon & that's for both KS1 & 2

We're in the southwest and all of the primary's in our town get them.

Yes def a good idea; they need to break up the afternoon to keep them focused I think.

BTW, the primary topic can be very busy. You just need to mention G&T or reading levels in your thread title.

Also in Norfolk. Ds3 is yr 4 doesn't get an afternoon break.

Actually ds3 just said that sometimes they do get to go out and play in the afternoon's or do reading outside and they have outdoor classrooms to use as well.

In the school I work in KS1 get a 10 minute break in the afternoon, if they didn't they would have to finish school earlier which is obviously more inconvenient for parents with children in both KS1 and KS2.

It might affect the end time of the school day.

Of our two local schools, the one that does ends at 3:30 and the one that doesn't ends at 3:15.

We lost ours this year. I was initially very concerned by it, but the teachers seem to be using the large block if time flexibly, and sending them out for a quick rampage in the playground if they seem to need it. It has helped with longer, project-type activities like mega works of art.

Not as awful as first feared.

Ours have an afternoon break, an hour for lunch and they finish at 3.15.

In KS1 they get a short break morning and afternoon, outside unless it is raining heavily; in KS2 a morning break only. Lunch play is also 15 minutes shorter in KS2. The school day ends at 3.25 for both KS1 and KS2. I do remember that the KS1 teachers (especially in Reception) were very good at getting the children outside for lessons/creative play at times other than 'official' breaks. We are in Kent btw.

At ks1 the children have to be taught for a minimum of 21 hours rising to 23.5 for ks2. This can dictate the possibility of an afternoon break.

Yes afternoon break for ks1, not for ks2. Southwest.

10mins in the afternoon for ks1 only. And 1hr 10mins for lunch

Ours have an afternoon break, which I think is a good thing, an hour for lunch and a 3.15 finish too. Hampshire. No idea what the other schools here do.

In Years R and 1 they have the classroom doors open all afternoon and have freeflow in and out of canopied courtyards equipped with all sorts of educational play equipment, getting called in in small groups or individually to do short spells of table work.

Ks1 do

KS1 do at my school.
The juniors (KS2) at the school next door don't have an official playtime but most classes do get an informal 5/10 minute break outside with their teacher.

At DD's primary (she moved to y7 this year) - they had a playtime in js1 and ks2 - though KS2 finished later than many schools (3:45pm)

Lancashire. 15 min break morning and afternoon, hour for lunch. Ks1 and 2.
Reception have an outdoor 'classroom' area with bug hotel, wheelie bikes, trikes, wooden low structures for balancing on, play houses etc. They are in and out all the time.

Outside time goes ahead unless it is practically monsoon. Reception kiddies keep wellies near their hook in the cloakroom and are encouraged to have waterproof/showerproof outdoor coats. (cos its Lancashire.....)

No afternoon break at our infant school

It was a while ago but two of the reasons that I remember were

The afternoon break had masses of injuries,

Teachers would have to interrupt lessons quite quickly after lunch

Just remembered another one

They felt that they could read (year2) chapter books and harder books out loud to the children, a short story time after break meant that they couldn't really get into the story

In the infants school they do lots of lessons outside and the teachers have free range to let their class run round in the playground to let off steam when necessary

My boys' school has 2 morning breaks (15 mins and 10 mins) and then an hour lunch break.