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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Would you complain about a 17 minute lunch break at high school?

95 replies

Sallystyle · 07/03/2015 18:27

My two boys aged 11 and 13 attend the same high school. A new head teacher has recently taken over.

They used to get a 20 minute break then a 50 minute lunch break. New head teacher has just announced that she is changing the break to 15 minutes and lunch to 17 minutes. 15 Minutes to get lunch and eat it and go outside for a bit then two minutes to walk back into the next lesson.

The children are obviously outraged and it seems like a few of the parents are too. Would you complain about this or do you think a 17 minute break is long enough? Having spent some time working out the new timetable it looks like she has shortened the lunch break and lengthened the school day to 20 minutes so the children can fit another lesson in.

OP posts:

PilchardPrincess · 07/03/2015 21:30

It's just not going to work is it. People generally think in terms of 10 or 5 minute intervals, and regular intervals eg each thing is 40 mins long with a 20 min break so you can work out where you are. It's going to take ages for students + teachers to remember that eg lesson ends at 2.33, unless they are going to put alarm clocks in?

depecheNO · 07/03/2015 21:31

My school was 8.30-2.30 in the form of two lessons, twenty minute break, two more lessons, twenty minute break, final lesson. With only one small canteen it was a nightmare to eat, even with it open during both breaks. They didn't factor "walking to class" into the timetable either, so our breaks were more like 15 minutes on average considering being kept late sometimes. My school cited failing behaviour management systems as the reason for not having a lunch "hour", by the way. We didn't mind too much because a lot of us would be home by 3pm, but anything less than 2x20min is surely unworkable, regardless of how long the school day is, and exceptionally unfair if they're really in 8.35-3.40.

dangerrabbit · 07/03/2015 21:37

I'm assuming this is in an academy as they set their own hours?

If not, complain to your local authority.

itsveryyou · 07/03/2015 21:39

DCs middle school in America gives them 30 minutes to buy and eat lunch at 10:40am, or eat packed lunch, then 10 minutes outside later in the day. School day was 8.30am to 3:40pm. He hates the lack of outside time, he was much happier with break times at school in UK, as were we as parents.

iseenodust · 07/03/2015 21:42

No time for children or staff to draw breath and clear their minds let alone stretch their legs. Tis madness.

FrChewieLouie · 07/03/2015 21:44

So they have fewer staff, yet more lessons? Awful. I'd definitely complain. Morale will be through the floorboards.

Szeli · 07/03/2015 21:48

does this mean they'll be off longer at summer too? changes like this usually do - just another thing to consider

Original poster

Sallystyle · 07/03/2015 21:53

It is an academy, yes. Probably should have said that the start but not sure if it makes much difference.

No mention of longer summers.

I know it was on the news last week that the school were going to be losing quite a few staff members.

I'll update on Monday after I call.

OP posts:

Blondiemama · 07/03/2015 21:58

This is madness. Following as I want to see what happens!

LaLyra · 07/03/2015 22:58

So the morning break is the same length of time as lunch? Madness.

Never mind food for everyone (impossible) - is it possible for everyone to get to the toilet in that time?

When the primary school I used to work in shortened lunch (not that drastically) the knock on effect in the afternoon was more kids needing out of class as they hadn't had time for the toilet.

MoustacheofRonSwanson · 07/03/2015 23:08

Maybe the head teacher really wants to cut lunch to 25 minutes, and has put this out so she can later on look "reasonable" when a compromise is reached on 25 minutes?

zosia54 · 08/03/2015 11:49

We used to have this in a school I worked in, but it was a staggered lunch for different year groups AND we finished at half two. I'd moan and check the legalities if I were you. This sounds bonkers!

MrsMook · 08/03/2015 13:22

My school has a 15 minute break and 30 minute lunch in 3 shifts across an hour and a half slot. The positive is that it's a short day, but it's difficult to get respite and keep on top of a full day. Also the staggered lunches make it hard to discuss issues with colleagues. It also limits pupils social time and chance to burn energy and eat well which can reflect in performance in lessons.

giraffesNeedBigPoloNecks · 08/03/2015 13:40

That sounds mad - do you not have lunch time clubs etc? We used to have pupil council meetsing at lunch or certain team clubs.

woodhill · 08/03/2015 14:10

the shortened day also makes it difficult for parents trying to work if their dc are only in y7 and dc on streets etc.

MyDHhasnomemory · 08/03/2015 14:19

Itsveryyou, your DC eat lunch at 10.40? ?

itsveryyou · 08/03/2015 14:29

myDH yes, his grade's lunchtime starts at 10:40am. Bonkers, I know.

Original poster

Sallystyle · 10/03/2015 14:17

Update

I called the school and the receptionist said a text would be going out in a bit.

I received the text and the lunch time has now been changed, so they get 30 minutes instead of 17. I assume there were a lot of complaints.

OP posts:

5madthings · 10/03/2015 14:22

Your kids must go to one local to me, my friend has two boys there. Lots of strees and fb and yes a rapid turn around by the head teacher, good job too it was crazy!

CalamityPain · 10/03/2015 14:28

When I was at school we could be queuing for food for longer than that. Ridiculous!

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