Headmaster blames funding cuts for decision to shorten school day

A school that became one of the first to cut its day by half an hour has blamed funding cuts for the decision.

Chris Field, the headmaster at Selly Oak Trust school in Birmingham, wrote to parents to explain that the school’s governors have “not taken this decision lightly”, adding that “these time are very challenging”.

The co-educational secondary school, which is for children with moderate learning disabilities, advertises its school times on its website as 8.40am until 3.10pm. But parents have now been told that from September the school day will run from 9am until 3pm.

Mr Field added that shortening the school day would allow the school to save money without affecting the quality of education it provided.

One parent said it was unclear whether students would be cutting down on lessons or on break time, but added that both academic work and socialising were important aspects of children’s development.

“I’m not sure how much money it would save to cut down the school day, seeing as all the running costs are the same,” the parent said, adding that he had spoken to his local MP about the matter.