Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

New School Day Proposed

123 replies

saturnsarah · 14/05/2015 20:49

DD13 came home from school today (it's an academy) with a letter saying they want to change the school day.

They want to change it so they start at 08.30 and then do not have a break until 11.30. I think this is far too long for children to go without a drink or a proper rest break. They then will have a break until 11.55 and work until 13.15 when they have lunch until 13.55 and then they work from 13.55 until 15.15.

AIBU to think the three hours is too long or am I being PFB?

OP posts:
RightSideOfWrong · 14/05/2015 20:50

We did that when I was at school and I left 8 years ago. It was fine.

ShellyF · 14/05/2015 20:52

I think it is fine.

TantrumsAndBalloons · 14/05/2015 20:52

At 13 I think they can manage 3 hours without a rest

Tanaqui · 14/05/2015 20:54

How far is the average child travelling? If a lot are getting busies at 730 ish, than they might be ready for lunch at 1130 rather than break!

chickenfuckingpox · 14/05/2015 20:55

What is there day like now is it much different?

Lottiedoubtie · 14/05/2015 20:55

Yep PFB, they can have a drink between lessons if they get desperate surely? And it's only 3 hours anyway...

VelvetRose · 14/05/2015 20:59

That's the same as Dd's timetable. It's a bit strange isn't it? She's finding high school totally exhausting in general, not sure if this is anything to do with the timetable though.

PureMorning · 14/05/2015 20:59

Sounds fine. They are teens not toddlers

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 14/05/2015 21:00

Yes I'd say at 13+ it's fine.

VelvetRose · 14/05/2015 21:00

And yes, she often eats lunch at break time!

Bunbaker · 14/05/2015 21:02

Doesn't she take a bottle of water to school?

I think 3 hours seems a long time without a break though.

LineRunner · 14/05/2015 21:02

My son's school has this kind of school day but they can buy food including school dinner in the canteen at first break.

Then he comes home at 3.30 and eats everything...

LineRunner · 14/05/2015 21:03

And they all carry bottles of water.

holidaysarenice · 14/05/2015 21:04

Shock horror some of these kids will soon be in the world of work.....

we couldn't expect 3 hours work-not from our little kiddies

Mostlyjustaluker · 14/05/2015 21:04

Most schools allow students to drink water in lessons. Obviously not in science or it labs.

velouria · 14/05/2015 21:05

However will they cope with triple lessons? So harsh Grin, I'm having flashbacks to triple chemistry tuesday .

ladygracie · 14/05/2015 21:09

I teach 7&8 year olds & we do 2 & a half hours without a break so I'm sure it will be fine.

Hulababy · 14/05/2015 21:09

I am assuming that the 3 hour slot is more than likely 3 x hour sessions or 2 x 1.5 hour sessions. I also assume they can drink water from water bottles either between lessons or, in some lessons, in the lesson itself.

They will also get a lengthy lunch break - lots of time to relax, socialise, do homework, go to extra curricular clubs, etc.

My main concern would be that 3 hours is a long time to maintain attention - I assume teachers will plan for his though and break lessons up into sections of concentration and sections of doing.

Original poster
saturnsarah · 14/05/2015 21:12

No they aren't allowed food or drink in class - it's all shiny and new. I wouldn't choose to go 3 hours without a drink myself so no, I wouldn't want my children to.

OP posts:
TheFillyjonk · 14/05/2015 21:13

I feel sorry for the poor kids at the school I work at.

They start at 8.30, then have a 20 minute break anywhere between 10 and. 11 (times depend on the class). They have lessons until 11.50, when they have a half hour tutor period. Then lunch is a 40 minute break that could be as early as 12.20 or as late as 13.20. They finish at 4.

Lessons are a whopping hour and a half long.

Too much!

LineRunner · 14/05/2015 21:17

A school cannot withhold water from children.

ILoveOnionRings · 14/05/2015 21:18

I am assuming morning form time registration and then 2 or 3 lessons before break. Usually change of rooms so not confined to one room. I cannot imagine for one moment that they are with the same teacher, same room, same lesson for all of that time unless in 6th form (perhaps).

Original poster
saturnsarah · 14/05/2015 21:20

lineruner it seems they can if they can bring this new school day in, as the kids will only be able to access a sip of water if they go to the loos during lessons, which means they miss some of their class.

I think hydration is really important especially when studying, but the school thinks differently it seems.

OP posts:
MothershipG · 14/05/2015 21:20

That's how my DC's school is timetabled. I was apprehensive at first, but they are both surviving.

Their canteen is open early for breakfast, has a fairly wide range of options at break and lots of kids do have a roll or similar then, and some just have a snack and eat at lunch.

Most schools allow pupils to take water with them so I wouldn't worry too much.

Original poster
saturnsarah · 14/05/2015 21:22

onionrings it's registration then two x 80 min lessons, which might be a double, so it's a bloody long time without a break/drink. They can only eat or drink in certain areas, not whilst walking around school etc so cannot drink in between lessons. It's their Academy rules Sad

OP posts: