Parents’ anger at ‘ludicrous’ plans for schools to shut up to 45 minutes earlier and bring in shorter break times
At least four schools in Bridgend County Borough are proposing to shut earlier from September
OUTRAGED parents have slammed "ludicrous" plans for several schools across an entire borough to close 45 minutes earlier.
At least four schools in Bridgend County Borough are proposing to end lessons as early as 2:45pm from September 2019.
And children will be given less break time during the school day to make sure the length of classes are unaffected.
But hundreds of angry parents have hit out at the plans - with one describing it as a "ludicrous idea."
There are fears that a more densely packed school day could mean children spending less time excising outdoors.
It may also affect the mental health of pupils who will get less time during school hours to socialise with friends, it's claimed.
And the proposals could disrupt childcare plans for hundreds of families.
One parent told Wales Online that families "already struggle enough sorting out childcare" - and the shorter school day will make it even more difficult.
LETTER TO PARENTS
Porthcawl Comprehensive - which has a cohort of 1,400 pupils - sent a letter to parents on February 23 announcing the plan.
It read: "It is proposed that the school will open at 8.45 and lessons will finish at 3pm.
"The internal timings of the day will be adjusted to accommodate the change.
"The time spent teaching will remain totally unaffected."
Later, nearby Nottage Primary School in Porthcawl said it plans to cut its school days to end as early as 2:45pm - instead of the normal 3:30pm.
It claimed the move would help parents who had children at both the primary school and Porthcawl Comprehensive to arrange childcare.
A letter sent to parents on April 4 read: "It is proposed to change the times of the school day from September 2019 onwards.
"The change is applicable for all learners at the school."
Pencoed Comprehensive and Ysgol Maesteg School have also told the local authority that they are looking at changing their closing times.
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A spokesman for Bridgend County Borough said: "This is not a council proposal.
"Under the 2009 School Regulations, either a local authority or a school governing body is able to propose this.
"The time spent teaching will remain unaffected."
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