For/against -longer school days?

[kerrie24]

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/jan/30/lengthen-school-days-cut-holidays-tory-adviser

Saw this on This Morning today,I don't think its a good idea,I would hate for my 3 to be away from me that long.
I just wondered what everybody thought on it.

 

[Tanikins]

My lb goes to nursery 8-6 so hed be used to it

But for some kids that be a long day and very new

 

[Rhio92]

I don't agree, kids need family time and the chance to be just kids xx

 

[CatStorey]

I think its a terrible idea. What they should do is provide better/more breakfast, after school and holiday clubs for those that work and need that extra childcare. Make those more affordable and more accessible (the one at the school my dd will be attending has a humongous waiting list and is sooooo expensive!)

Its far too much to expect our children to be in education that many hours per week, and to cut holidays too is just crazy imo.

Before I went on Mat leave I worked full time and my dd went to nursery (8-6) so I totally understand how hard it is juggling work and childcare but I think 10 hours a day of learning is far far too much. When I go back to work I hope between me and my husband we can juggle the school pick up and make use of after school clubs etc. Yes some days we won't be picking her up until 5.30 but that's not everyday and the after school club will be a new environment with different activities.

I think its a rubbish idea and as a full time working parent it certainly wouldn't win my vote!!

 

[sparkle_1979]

Terrible idea and I can't see it getting passed at all

 

[modified]

Awful idea.

When I was at school, a 6pm finish would see me getting home between 8 and 9:30 at night depending on traffic..... (I grew up in London and couldn't get into a school nearby).

 

[Abigailly]

Nonsense.

I'm a firm believer in "Education prepares for a living not for a life".

Education will give her qualifications and very little else. It's my job to teach her about handling emotions, creating balance, gaining self belief, creativity etc. When would I ever have time with her? To give her all that. When would we have time to have family time? Or visit grandparents in Ireland?

They're in school too long as it is.

 

[Tanikins]

Been talking about this at work

I think it be good later 15/16 to do longer days!, maybe not. 8-6 fully working to get used to a working day

But 4/5 year olds good luck with that, there be lots of sleeping kids

 

[SarahP13]

Honestly the thought of this actually happening makes me want to cry!

45 hours a week is MORE than the average adult goes to work. Expecting children to cope - and thrive - on that is ridiculous. If it did happen (and I don't believe it would) then I would home school. I would never put my children through that. How can you expect a 5 year old to manage it?!

Education is incredibly important but so is play, relaxation, socialisation. If we want well rounded children we need to allow them time to do all of that.

I believe many countries in Asia have longer school days but they have a much higher rate of stress and anxiety amongst their children. I don't want to put my kids through that.

 

[sue_88]

This would never happen, there would be uproar amongst the teachers as they already work upwards of 8-10 hours a day with prep, marking, clubs etc....nevermind adding 3/4 more hours of teaching into a day.

I'd not put my girl into a school if it was those hours.

 

[KayBea]

wont work, this means most kids wont get home until 7-7.30 with the rush hour traffic?

 

[Yammas]

I dont think it would ever happen but the government definitely need to do more to cover the time between school finish and parents finishing working.

It could be a good idea for older children as it would give time for the things that cant fit into the school day like life skills.

 

[kerrie24]

Shouldn't the parents be teaching life skills though?

I sympathise with people who work,I really do,but it should be optional to them instead of forced onto us all.

 

[hayz_baby]

For some reason this country wants our education to b more like it is in china and japan. Did they know that they are bak tracking how the educate children and looking for a less pressured system? What does that say??!
We go on and on about preserving childhood innocence.. Until it comes to education.. Then we expect children to make adult decisions and take on adult stresses.. What does it matter if a 5 yo is wearing a bikini if she's at school longer then I am at work??!!
Children depression rates are on the rise.. Exams etc are major stress influences for children.. We expect 14-15 yo to make decisions that effectively will decide the rest of their working lives?? We want less holiday time and more education time.. How are we as a society protecting their innocence? Frankly when I left education I remember a huge weight lifted off my shoulder. It's about inprovement not bloody longer. Want to improve the illiterate rates amongst school leavers? Smaller secondary school classes not sticking them in school for longer. Want to make education worth while? Teach them lessons they can take into the real world!

Eta one other thing I'm sick off.. Every ur when a level results come out.. Oh they are dumbing them down.. They are getting easier! I tell u I know plenty of people of worked hard and deserved their a level results. How much of an insult is it
To b told the exam u worked hard for was dumbed down. No it can't b that the person who took that exam worked hard for it?

 

[BigLegEmma]

Children are always tired at school. The day is long enough, especially with breakfast clubs. Older starting age and shorter schooldays would be in their best interests. Society is spun on its head.

 

[Quackquack99]

I think its a bad idea and children need a balance of learning and playing. I think govt should look at reducing the cost of childcare rather than demanding young children to be at school for such long hours.

 

[Bex84]

Absolutly awful idea. When i was teaching i was working till 10/11 + every night and at weekend as it was the kids were exhausted by end of day and plus children need time with family. It would also stop extra curriculurs and also schools would have to find extra time for staff meetings. They are expecting way to much of children. The government just want to take parents role away. I doubt teachers unions will agree anyway. I know alot of teachers off for stress as it is and alot who are desperate to leave proffession and michael gove is an awful person to have control over education

 

[Natsku]

Terrible, terrible idea. There would be a lot of overstressed, burnt-out children if that ever got passed, the school day is already too long in my opinion. If childcare is the issue then provide more after-school clubs for the younger children.

 

[lhancock90]

If this happens my children will be homeschooled.
Education is very important us, but there are many many other things in a child's life needed for them to be nurtured, to grow into healthy adults.

 

[Midnight_Fairy]

Absolute crap idea. I would homeschool too. Losing faith in LEA every day