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Original poster

How long is reasonable for lunch break at secondary school

78 replies

Ipackedmysandwichesforlunch · 12/06/2023 23:04

DS school is going to cut it's lunch break further so the kids get just 35 mins. It seems very short and not much time to eat, socialise, have a break etc. Is this common in other schools?

OP posts:
SirSamVimesCityWatch · 12/06/2023 23:05

It's really common unfortunately. Usually a way of stopping bad behaviour - the kids don't have time to do anything other than eat and maybe get to the loo.

stardust40 · 12/06/2023 23:07

This is often done to reduce the opportunity for trouble as there's little time for the kids to get bored! I don't have a problem with it half an hour to eat/toilet but of fresh air.

Patchworksack · 12/06/2023 23:07

Common, but often means they don’t actually get lunch.

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 12/06/2023 23:10

We always had an hour (or more) but that was at private school.

5foot5 · 12/06/2023 23:10

Yes I think that is common but it is a great shame.

When I was at secondary school we had at least an hour, it might even gave been 1h 15m. Plenty of time to eat lunch and take part in clubs and activities. Sometimes house matches were played at lunch time.

However the school day went on until 4pm. I was surprised when my DD was at secondary that they finished school by 3.30pm or earlier and had le than an hour for lunch

TooOldForThisNonsense · 12/06/2023 23:11

Ours is 35 mins

RhinestoneCowgirl · 12/06/2023 23:12

DD gets 30 mins at her secondary school, it is too tackle disruptive behaviour at lunchtime as PP mentioned. It's pretty rushed 😕

Emma0987 · 12/06/2023 23:12

Mine get 40mins here which was reduced a couple of years ago to try stop unwanted behaviours. Due to location does limit where they can go too as wouldn't have enough time to go get food and back so primarily eat within school grounds. I do think it is more common.

Notimeforaname · 12/06/2023 23:12

We got 40 minutes. The same amount of time as a class.

PuttingDownRoots · 12/06/2023 23:13

35mins here. School finishes at 3pm. (Then clubs until 4pm).
Its staggered though, so there's only two year groups trying to get lunch.

Original poster
Ipackedmysandwichesforlunch · 12/06/2023 23:13

@@coffeecupsandwaxmelts likewise we had an hour - long time ago now!
I just think there should be a bit more time for them to relax and spend time with friends. For many (I know not everyone) that is one of things they enjoy about school even if they find other bits hard. Social skills are also important as well as academic ones.

OP posts:
UsingChangeofName · 12/06/2023 23:13

Very normal.

SoftSheen · 12/06/2023 23:13

Ours is 35 mins, it's only just about enough time but means that the school day finishes at 3.10.

neslop · 12/06/2023 23:16

50 mins and school day ends 3pm

MrsSkylerWhite · 12/06/2023 23:19

Sounds fair enough. Tbh I’m amazed at how early kids leave state school these days. In our area (NW coastal town) , they’re on their way home by about 2.45.

Hotandverybothered · 12/06/2023 23:25

My children definitely had an hour,my sons had driving lessons during their lunch break .

MyMachineAndMe · 12/06/2023 23:53

Yes, ds has half an hour lunch, 10 minutes of which is taken up queuing to get his medication, which he can only take at that time, in that area of school. It's bloody annoying because he's not getting the time to eat and, due to the medication he is on, we have to watch his weight and make sure he's eating enough. I have asked the school so many times if he can have a few extra minutes to get his tablet but they refuse and I don't really know where else to go with it.

RoseMartha · 13/06/2023 00:15

I think my teens only have 35
Mins at lunch and 25 at break

Mumof1andacat · 13/06/2023 00:16

Our breaks were an hour but were cut to 35 mins when I was in year 10. I'm 40 next year.

BusyMum47 · 13/06/2023 06:55

Yep - normal - my teen gets 35 mins but finishes school at 3:15pm.
It's also really late - 1:40pm! It is what it is, though. They cope.

RenegadeKeeblerElf · 13/06/2023 07:10

Mine have two breaks of 30 mins each. Clubs might run in either break, the canteen is open for both but I think break one is more snacky options, break two proper meals.

MargaretThursday · 13/06/2023 07:16

Ds' is 25 minutes for a large comprehensive. I thought it was ridiculously short when my oldest started, but actually they all, including ds who likes to play football at lunch, like it.

Shinyandnew1 · 13/06/2023 07:18

There’s a school near my DP that has two x 20 min breaks instead of one lunchtime and they finish at 2pm-it’s worked for them for years.

Teenagedream · 13/06/2023 07:19

Yes very short lunch breaks and leave school at 2.45pm.
Difficult for the teachers to get lunch too by the time they have got to their base, queued for the microwave, had a wee, back to next classroom and ready for the next lesson. Seems a shame for all.

redskytwonight · 13/06/2023 07:33

DC's school has 35 minutes. But they do stagger it so that only half the school has lunch at one time so the queues aren't so bad. It's time to chat and have lunch but not much else.