School shelves early finish plan
A LEICESTERSHIRE school has dropped controversial plans to end the school week at 1.05pm on a Friday.
Danemill Primary School in Enderby wrote to parents last month suggesting the early finish time could be introduced from October.
School bosses said Friday afternoons would become planning and preparation time for teachers.
The letter cited budget cuts and the ‘current economic climate’ at the school for the planned change.
However the idea has been panned by parents concerned about having to find additional child care on Friday afternoons.
The matter was raised with South Leicestershire MP Alberto Costa who met head of the academy trust responsible for Danemill Primary, the Discovery School’s Trust, in Westminster last week.
The school has now written again to parents saying the plans have been scrapped.
Mr Costa said: “I am delighted to hear that the school have made the correct decision following their consultation, and will not be closing early on a Friday afternoon.
“I was very concerned to hear of these plans initially and this was reiterated by a number of calls and emails from parents who were displeased with the proposals, hence why I was very keen to make urgent representations to the school on behalf of my constituents”.
Chief executive of the Discovery School’s Trust Paul Stone said: “I am grateful to Mr Costa and to the parents that contributed to the consultation.
“This was a very useful exercise to gain important stakeholder views.
“I can confirm that we will not be proceeding with the outline plan to close early on a Friday afternoon, clearly this reflects the views of parents and other stakeholders.
“The school will continue to look to improve teaching and learning opportunities for all our children in partnership with parents.”
Mr Costa added: “I do hope this announcement from the school will seek to reassure parents regarding this matter.
“Understandably my constituents were concerned about the potential impact these plans could have had, if they had gone ahead, but ultimately I am pleased that the school have listened attentively to the views of parents”.