To think a 3:20 finish is absurd?

[Itsr]

It’s mostly mums at the school gates. Because the 3:20 finish worked well at a time when most women stayed at home.

now most women work, which means two parents working, why does school finish ar 3:20?! Yes I know there are after school classes etc but some don’t go on for too long and they also cost.

what actually is the reason why the school day isn’t aligned with a work day (like it is with most private schools!)

In Europe, schools finish at 1pm.

I think it's absurd that people aren't allowed to work flexibly so that they can spend more time with their kids. That's what needs to change. And I do work full time, but flexibly,as does my husband so can do school pickup 2-3 times a week and after school club 2-3 days a week.

I don't want my kids in school for 8 hours a day!

Absurd? Where have you been the last at least 50 years?

I work in primary school and the children have had enough by 3. Teachers then have time to tidy, mark and orep the next day, parent meetings, staff meetings etc.

In China kids are at school for over 12 hours a day. Why can their kids cope but ours can't with even an 8 hour day?

Are you sure they are coping?

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/suicide-numbers-rise-among-china-s-young-amid-pressure-to-excel-in-school

I work as a supply TA in a deprived area. Every state school I work at has wraparound care, usually from 8am and keeping kids until 5:30pm in the evening. One state school I worked at recently started breakfast club at 7:15.

Teachers don't cover it, it's mostly TAs and MDSAs getting extra hours.

I thought wraparound care was more standard now? Parents do have to pay, but I don't know how much.

Europe isn't one homogenous place. In the parts of Europe I have experience of that's definitely not the case except on a Wednesday.

Yawn. Someone else that wants teachers to do their parenting

I get what you're saying as school hours and school holidays are not easy for working parents but most schools have after school club and there are holiday clubs but appreciate these can be costly.

People know this before they choose to have children. Why are they suddenly surprise when they children reach school age and finish school at 3:20pm?

This

I know many in many cases it can't be helped but why would anyone want children small children to be in school for even longer!
Children need time to chill at home.
Obviously accidents happen but I am wondering why some people have dc maybe many are choosing not too? Is this why birth rates are dropping

Private school teachers cope because they have many more free periods during the day to enable staff to rota extra curricular provision at the end of the day.

They also have smaller classes with less variety in ability (most of the times) which means marking takes less time and planning also is quicker.

I have worked at both state and private schools.

A longer day that you are suggesting at a state school would make an already difficult job feel impossible. There is a teacher shortage I don't think adding additional hours of learning, marking and preparing will help. More hours to teach will mean they need more time to prepare (state schools require 10% PPA time which is less than private school ppa). However, to reach 10% with additional hours would mean more staff to cover this?

When I went to state primary school in the 1960s the infants finished at 4 pm and the juniors at 4.30 pm. We had 2 hours for lunch!!

Google more. My 4 grandsons go to fee paying schools in the UK. Successful schools at primary level, their day is 8 50 to 3 25.

Because school is for education not free childcare.

Because the current school day is long enough for kids.
Because school isn’t child care.
Because teachers still have work to do after 3.20
Not one of the private schools around me have hours that align with work. There may be after school clubs, at secondary level they may stay to do extra curricular activities, but not school work. The little ones of Primary age in the school I worked in were exhausted by the end of the school day. I remember seeing one little boy fast asleep in the car and they’d barely left the school grounds.
No idea what the answer is though

Oops zombie post, mine have pretty much grown up and left school now🤣

They finish then because it's a long day of learning for small children.

School is for educating children not free childcare.

If it doesnt suit to be there at 3.20 pay for some childcare

The point that many seem to be missing is that the childcare isn't there. Wrap around care is sporadic and unreliable. There aren't enough places and it isn't consistent enough to allow people to work.

I don't think a single person is saying small children should be schooling between 8 and 5 but there needs to be nationwide reliable provision for those who need it. Given how hard it is to be a solo earning household I should think many people need it really. Some are far too happy to rely on grandparents etc which is fine if everyone wants that but should not be an expectation and isn't even an option for many.

I'm more than happy to pay for childcare. I'll pay a premium ! There just isn't childcare available and that's the issue.

This!

Private schools also have longer holidays - I was working for a time at one which broke up for the Summer holidays on 26 June & went back in September).

Oh, and many of them pay more to their staff as well.