Changes to School Day - Take Part in Consultation

Last week the City Council agreed to carry out a consultation on changes to the school day in secondary schools. This would standardise the school day across all the secondaries in the city. In principle I don't have a problem with these proposals, I do, however, think that there are some practical concerns that need to be faced up to before these reforms are implemented. Issues like how do parents deal with the plan to have the school day finish at different times on different days of the week. Will bus companies be able to deal with these different times?

Monday night's Evening Telegraph carried a report on this and an editorial on this topic. Nobody could disagree with the message of the editorial '...it is right that as our lives and communities change our educational system should change too so it can provide the best and most efficient service possible.'

The Telegraph said that '... it is critical that all families become involved in this consultation process to ensure that their child's schooling is shaped to their needs more than anyone else's.'

The Council should be making a big effort to include as many people as possible in the consultation which is taking place. You can read the committee report which was agreed last week here (pages 3-7), please let the council know your views. The City Council must listen to voices of parents and pupils on this important issue.