School day

[Gwendolinee]

In our recent primary newsletter we were told that the school day has increased at the behest of the DofE. I’m really not onboard with this especially at primary. My son is y1 and is one of the youngest. Is this as a result of Covid?

In NI primary do 9-2pm for first 3 years, even then my younger two dc couldn't make it through the day (youngest in year) and often were snoozing when I picked them up. School was awesome and had a nap corner

It makes sense to have a set amount of hours in the school week across the country though. And it’s only 15 minutes for you, but OPs school is 2.5 hours a week which over the years at school will make a difference to some.

I wish my work had a nap corner........

Not in y1! Maybe secondary. By the time he’s home he’s completely shattered. It’s unfair!

If your son genuinely can't cope with an ordinary school day in Y1 it might suggest a problem with his sleep or diet, or some other issues. It is not usual for a child his age to struggle so much.

Glad I'm not the only one. DfE =/= DofE and as a DofE leader I was most confused for a moment what this could possibly have to do with primary age kids!

What we're the timings and what are they now?
My ds primary is 8.40 - 3.10 ks1 and 3.15 ks2

Our school day is 0830-1605 for everyone (private) followed by extra curricular clubs for another hour. My youngest just finished reception and had no issues. Why on earth would you begrudge additional education?!

Our primary school day is is 40min longer than the Secondary. (8.45-3.30 vs 8.40-2.45). But the lunch is longer, as is morning break and they have an afternoon break.

They attended 5 primary schools, all had different length days but the lesson time was similar.. it was breaks and lunch that varied.

I disagree, in the case of infant and junior schools it doesn't make sense at all. The fact breaks can be of any length means children still aren't guaranteed the same amount of schooling. The vast majority of primaries run the equivalent of 9 to 3.15 or more anyway as it takes that amount of time to cover the curriculum. There are just so many other issues I would tackle in Education first.

My child does 8.45-3.30

Ours increased by 30 minutes last year. It’s great. Adds just enough extra time to help with getting there for school run before/after work. Still 2 hours a day less than they were doing in nursery and mine have never been shattered coming out of school.

It isn't if they think flexibly, infants doesn't have to be a shorter day, it can be a staggered day.
Our infants is 8.45-3.15. Juniors is a 'soft start' - they can arrive anytime between 8.45 and 8.55, register is 8.55. And finishes at 3.25. This allows parents who need to get going to work to drop at 8.45 and those who have to do infants and juniors to drop at 8.50ish.

Absolutely agree, my DD2 summer born so just turned 5, has just finished reception with a school day of 8.45-3.15.
On top of this she does ballet after school on Mondays, after school club until 6 on Tuesdays and Rainbows on Thursday, and is absolutely fine. Fridays she is pestering me to go to the park after school, so definitely not tired.

The examples in that report were pretty good, a couple set aside time for specific learning goals. I don’t see the problem really. It’s a little bit extra and clearly a lot of kids struggled post pandemic. There are schools trialing even longer days to make sure their kids are on target, I think thats great.

It's DfE guidance but not compulsory from September (the 32.5 hours). Our school is adding an extra 15mins per day, but there won't be any extra learning as it's added onto break/lunch times. So seems to be a silly policy to "make learning equal across the country" as no extra learning is happening!
If schools are performing well, no one will say anything if they're under the 32.5 hour "guidance". However if the dreaded Ofsted come in and results aren't great and you're under the 32.5hours, then they will make you increase it whether you want to or not, so many heads are being proactive and making it look like it's their decision and not Ofsted's.

I worked in an independent with similar hours. The break and lunch time were much longer - we had the same lesson time as the state school I left.

it’s a mistake to underestimate the importance of break and lunch time and the impact it has on learning.

Play time has been cut back and back - it’s a good thing schools are restoring it.

There are advantages to extra break time too, not all kids get that at home. Of course it’s not the biggest issue but it’s not ‘unfair’ on OPs child to bring in a minimum amount of hours per week, her child will adjust.

I didn't realise they were bringing in this rule but turns out my children's school is already compliant and has been since my eldest started who has just finished year 6. They've always done 8.45-3.15. As others have said they extra time on the day won't have much impact and he'll soon get used to it.

My kids went to private schools - 0820 to 1615 daily at primary age

Then 0800 to 1700 at secondary age! Some children were there by 0730 for breakfast.

They all coped!

Our school started this last September when my child was going into year 1. He was fine. They were all fine. No one noticed. There’s literally nothing you can do about it. It was a ridiculous system that schools all had different hours anyway. Let this one go

This is what they're doing, but it's unfortunate that the schools are quite far apart for an infant-junior model. I've worked in a junior school where it wouldn't have been an issue at all. It will be doable, with not a moment to spare, at an adult walking pace if schools open their doors exactly on time. With 4 year olds walking and knowing how schools can run late with things, I anticipate a lot of late marks.

My poor children did 8am til 6pm at nursery before they even started school. Give your head a wobble, school days are relatively short!

The first few weeks, he may find it a little harder, but he will get used to it. Children are far more resilient, than adults give them credit for. If he's more tired, then put him to bed a little earlier. Your son isn't on his own in this, every child in the school is in the same boat. I work at a First school (Foundation - Year 4) and they start at 8.40am and finish at 3.20pm, with 1 hour for lunch.

So did I! I was wondering if it was to go one up on his father - he just got kids to do pointless hikes down some country paths imitating a snail with your house on your back.