6.5.22

Dear Parents/Carers,

As you know, Newdale’s official start time is currently 9:00 am. Anyone arriving after this time is classified as late. However, we have encouraged children into school at 8:40 am for many years now and the vast majority of children are in school at this time to complete early work.

I wrote to you on April 1st outlining the Government message that all schools need to offer a minimum of 32.5 hours schooling for all children. It was suggested in this proposal that the official start time for all children in school becomes 8:40 am rather than this being an optional time. Therefore, anyone arriving after this time would subsequently be classified as late.

The consultation period ended today, and I can now share the responses we had.

Thank you to the 6 parents who responded to this proposal. Most responses were very positive about the change: it had no impact on them because their children are already in school at 8:40am every day. In addition, it would mean they have less stress in getting to work on time. A few parents wanted more information about gate opening and classroom door opening times (see below) and one grandparent commented that their early routine was stressful already without having to accommodate a 20 minute earlier start.

This is one of those decisions we must make that simply cannot please everyone. If we looked at extending the school day after 3:10, we would cut short what we know is optimal learning time in the morning: children are fresher and more able to grasp learning than they are at the tail end of the day. We do also have parents who would struggle with school pick ups linked to having multiple schools to get to.

We are lucky in that we do have wraparound care on offer, and we are looking to extend this if we can.  

Based on the responses we received and ultimately the impact that a change would have on children’s learning, the Governors and I have made the decision that we will move to the proposed time change from Monday 6th June (straight after half term).

Clarification of new opening times:

Gates will open at 8:30 am

Classroom doors will open at 8:35 am

Registers will be taken at 8:40 am

Home time will remain as 3:10 pm

We thank you for your support.

Miss Cook

Headteacher