NEYLAND Community School will move to an early finish on Fridays after a consultation on the move ended.

The school announced today (Monday) that from September the school day will finish at no later than 12.25pm for pupils, with an extra half hour if pupils stay for lunch.

Similar changes are also proposed by other schools in the Milford Haven cluster of schools.

Neyland “The main reason for the schools wanting to implement these changes is to further raise standards and improve outcomes for learners across the school. This will be achieved by increased professional learning to up skill the whole workforce – in line with the new National Mission for Wales and New Curriculum. We want to establish a culture of inquiry, innovation and exploration where teaching approaches and interventions used in class are research and evidence based on an on-going basis. This is a change to existing arrangements."

In the consultation letter to parents, Neyland School said: “We currently find that on Friday afternoons pupils often suffer from a greater lack of attention/focus than at other times in the week.

“We are in a time of change with the introduction of the new curriculum for Wales.

“Schools need to ensure that they deliver the exciting and challenging new learning and teaching opportunities for pupils and staff.”

It also says that Friday afternoons could be used for staff training while well-being will be improved with “greater family time” with “opportunities for pupils and staff to pursue sports, interests and personal development that would otherwise be missed.”

The Governing Body of Neyland Community School has voted for the school week to be:

Monday – Thursday

Part time Nursery: 8.45am - 11.30am.

Full time Nursery, Reception, Years 1 and 2: 8.45am – 3.10pm.

KS2 (Years 3 – 6): 8.45am – 3.20pm.

Friday

Part time Nursery: 8.45am - 11.30am.

Full time Nursery, Reception, Years 1 and 2: 8.45am – 12.15pm/12.45 if staying for lunch

KS2 (Years 3 – 6): 8.45am – 12.25pm/12.55 if staying for lunch

Finish time on Friday will also be 3pm if your child stays for Friday activities. These activities will be put on by the school at no cost to parents/carers. Breakfast Club hours will remain the same, 8.00am to 8.45am. The Neyland Kids Club, after school club facility within the school will continue to run until 5.45pm daily.