Another two Cardiff schools are shutting earlier in a move they say has been prompted by the demands of the new national curriculum for Wales.
From the start of the new term in September Llandaff City Church in Wales Primary School will end the school day 20 minutes earlier and Fairwater Primary will end the day half an hour earlier at 3pm instead of 3.30pm.
Earlier this week Coryton and Tongwynlais primaries announced plans to shut early saying the shorter day would be good for pupils. Some parents of those two schools are angry about the changes.
Llandaff City Church in Wales Primary’s governing body said cutting its school day will “benefit children’s experience of learning”. Rather than losing lesson time the afternoon break will go.
Fairwater's chair of governors, Jacquie Turnbull, said the decision to end the day half an hour earlier was "soundly based on the education benefits for the children" and not to save money.
Despite what he describes in a letter to parents as an “incredibly challenging financial climate in education across Wales” Llandaff City Primary's chair of governors David Oliver also said the changes at his school are not being made to save cash.
A number of schools in Wales and England are already shutting early, or have announced plans to do so, with some saying it will save funds spent on paying cover for teachers’ time away from the classroom for statutory planning and marking time.
In a statement Llandaff City Church in Wales Primary said: “The governing body can assure all parents that the changes to the school day outlined are designed to benefit children’s experience of learning.
“The plans by the Welsh Government to transform the way education is provided with the new national curriculum will see significant changes in how schools structure their day.
“For Llandaff City this means developing a much more creative, free learning environment in the afternoons which incorporates a lot of outdoor time and an emphasis on learning through play.
“The current school day with formal break times and length did not support these changes and it was felt that a small shortening of the school day would allow teaching staff to develop creativity and innovative ‘project’ based learning experiences which allow for active social engagement both indoors and outdoors."
“We would also want to be very clear that in no way are these changes being introduced because of any budgetary pressures or a need to reduce costs, despite a very challenging financial climate in education.
“The school has historically operated and continues to operate a balanced budget and expects to do so again in 2019-20, irrespective of these changes. The fact that this is being considered is an indication of the priority of improving the educational experience of the children in our care and not funding pressures."
The statement adds that teaching hours still stay the same and remain above national guidelines. Parents, teachers, staff, after-school providers and pupils were consulted and poll was run before the final decision was made.
Fairwater Primary chair of governors, Jacquie Turnbull, said: “Governors can assure parents that budgetary demands have not influenced the proposed change to school times at Fairwater, but that the decision has been soundly based on the education benefits for the children.
“The new draft curriculum for Wales currently being developed, emphasises the need for children to develop a range of skills that help them develop into ambitious, capable learners who are ready to learn throughout their lives.
“The quality learning that children need to prepare them for life and work in the future is increasingly more complex and intensive. Drawing on their understanding of pedagogy and subject knowledge, teachers at Fairwater Primary School have carefully considered the best ways to ensure quality learning and outcomes for children.
“It is felt that children will benefit from a shorter afternoon session to enable them to take maximum advantage of the learning opportunities provided by the teaching staff.
“The end of the school day for the pupils will change from 3.30pm to 3pm, and the timetable reconfigured. There will be a small reduction in teaching hours, but will still be in excess of the suggested minimum weekly lesson time.
“Governors, teachers and staff at Fairwater Primary School are committed to attaining the highest standards of learning and well-being for pupils at the school.”
Meanwhile parents of children at Coryton and Tongwynlais primaries have expressed concern about the plans for the schools, which share a head teacher and governing body. Some say they will be contacting the Children’s Commissioner to complain.
One Coryton mother said: “I feel very strongly that the decision to reduce the school day is being rushed and that there isn’t the evidence to support the claims that it will benefit children’s wellbeing.”
Another said: “The children will be losing out on their afternoon playtime and will have their lunch break reduced. I do not feel that this is acceptable in light of the increase in childhood obesity and the deterioration that we are seeing with our children’s mental health.
“I appreciate that the new curriculum will pose a challenge to teachers and it will add to their already stretched resources but I do not believe that this is the solution. Our children have the right to play.”
What the Welsh Government says:
“This is a decision for schools and governing bodies. Schools must fully consult before making any changes, ensuring that the number of teaching hours are not being compromised and that the curriculum is being delivered in its entirety.
“We would expect all schools to follow the consultation process before changing schools hours, to ensure that teaching hours required to deliver the curriculum requirements are not compromised.”
“We will make enquiries with Cardiff Council to ensure consultation process has been followed correctly, and that reduction in school hours has been justified.”
