North Hykeham schools may test longer day in bid for exam success
Two North Hykeham schools are considering extending their day in an attempt to boost grades.
North Kesteven School and Sir Robert Pattinson Academy are proposing to add 15 minutes on to their day.
-
North Kesteven School and Sir Robert Pattinson Academy are proposing to add 15 minutes on to their day in a bid to boost grades
Parents are now being consulted by the two schools which have a joint sixth form.
In a letter sent out to parents, the two head teachers say the plans will help students with exams.
bcs
Contact: 01522 705130
Valid until: Saturday, June 29 2013
"Moving from a four-lesson day to a five-lesson day will maximise the chance of raising achievement by increasing teacher contact," it read.
"The North Hykeham Joint Sixth Form students will benefit significantly from the 25 per cent increase in lessons.
"This is a result of increasing from eight lessons per fortnight to ten lessons per fortnight, leading to more opportunities for collaborative working.
"There will also be more lessons for revision and reinforcement in the run-up to terminal examinations."
The schools currently operate from 8.45am to 3pm but it is proposed to extend that from 8.45am to 3.15pm from September 1.
The schools also say the proposed changes are to accommodate the planned changes in educational provision in England, including the raising of the participation age and the re-organisation of GCSE examinations.
Mark Harbord, of Newark Road, has a son who attends the joint sixth form and his daughter will start school at Sir Robert Pattinson Academy in September.
"The new legislation of children having to stay in education for longer is a good thing," he said. "Not all children are ready for work at 16. I didn't want my son leaving school at that age because he wasn't ready for the workplace. So, the decision to extend the day is a good one because the children will get more contact with teachers. That means more lesson time which can only be helpful.
"An extra 15 minutes at school each day won't hurt them. It may actually assist parents because some of them have to take time off work to pick their kids up, so this might aid them with childcare.
"When I was at school I wasn't interested in grades, but now I want what is best for my children and this proposal can only benefit them."
The consultation period with parents runs until March 1 and parents can write to the schools or e-mail comments to them.
Lincolnshire County Council has also been notified of the planned changes to the school hours.
David Robinson, school services manager at the authority, said: "If an academy wishes to extend the school day then it is a matter for them and not the local authority.
"As long as any change does not impact on school transport then we would not object."
3 Comments
by InsideStory
Wednesday, February 13 2013, 5:34AM
“Good schools maybe but the students behavior and manners is something that could be addressed,travel on the buses that carry them to and from school to experience their disgraceful behavior .”
by Pru_Freda
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 10:31PM
“It is not the addition to the day but the number of lessons that will make a difference.
The current sellout of all double periods is a cheat against our children. They need a variety of challenges each day.
These are two good schools, but they are hiding behind short days. Five subjects per day.
Not rocket sciene.”
by OldLincolnia
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 12:41PM
“Adding a paltry 15 minutes to a very short day. Big deal.”