Millthorpe School plan to change start and finish time

Parents at Millthorpe School in South Bank have expressed their dismay at plans to change the start and finish times for the school day from the current 8.30am-3.25pm to 8.15am-2.35pm from September.

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The school, which has 1,060 pupils, opened a consultation with parents on Friday (January 31)  which is set to run until Sunday, February 23, and they say the outcome will be announced on Friday, March 7.

"There's been a lot of anger on parent WhatsApp groups," said one parent who didn't want to be named.

"It has been the hot topic of the weekend as it's going to make life difficult for working parents. I understand what they are doing, but a 2.35pm finish is too early."Millthorpe School South Bank in York is planning to change start and finish times (Image: Newsquest) In a presentation to parents, Millthorpe acting principal, Kavina Rothenburg, said students would still get a 15 minute break in the morning and the timetable of five lessons a day, each 55 minutes long, would be maintained.

But under the plans lunchtimes would become shorter with no lunchtime clubs.

Instead, after the school day, every teacher at the school would be involved in providing 'enrichment' activities as part of a programme of after school clubs running from 2.35pm-3.25pm.

Mrs Rothenburg said: "The benefits of an early finish time would help with wellbeing, giving students more time on an evening to do clubs and there will also be homework clubs every night.

"If a student chooses to attend these then when they leave at 3.25pm they could have completed all homework for that evening. This frees up their evening to do other things.

"We'll have even more enrichment clubs after school as all teachers will be delivering enrichment."

Millthorpe acting principal, Kavina Rothenburg (Image: Supplied) She also said that changes to the lunchbreak will mean they are able to stagger lunchtimes so that not all pupils are using the facilities at the same time and meaning no student should have to queue for food from September.

"We believe that this will support students with academic performance and support well-being, as well as support staff workload and wellbeing." said Mrs Rothenburg.

“Parents and carers can feed back via a Google form, by email or in person at one of four round table sessions with me and members of Millthorpe's leadership team.

“We are considering these adjustments in order to better support both our students' academic performance and overall wellbeing, as well as to support staff workload and wellbeing.

"We believe that a slightly earlier start and finish time, staggered break and lunch times and many more opportunities for enrichment activities will have a positive effect not only on students’ wellbeing but also in engagement in their learning. Some of the proposed changes around social times are in response to parental and student feedback already gathered.

“There will be a range of enrichment activities available after the end of the school day in addition to a homework club, meaning students would be able to stay in school and remain supervised until 3.25pm.”

Millthorpe is part of Excel Learning Trust - formerly South Bank Multi Academy Trust.

The trust has an additional six schools in the city: York High Carr Junior, Knavesmire, Scarcroft and Woodthorpe and Inspire Academy.