Brand new timetable in operation at secondaries

Secondary pupils in Monklands have begun their new four-and-a-half-day timetable, with a new 12.30pm finish to scheduled classes each Friday.

The local authority has reconfigured its high school schedule to create a 32-period “asymmetric week”, and is launching a programme of optional activities for the remaining afternoon including employability sessions, sport, arts and community projects.

Its new“future Fridays”programme is to be phased in over the first six weeks of the new term, and includes working alongside the area’s colleges, careers development organisations and voluntary groups.

Scheduled classes will now begin at 8.55am each day, finishing at 3.45pm from Monday to Thursday and at 12.30pm on Fridays, with council officials emphasising that pupils will still continue to have the same amount of overall teaching time in class under the new structure.

The change was agreed in February 2020 as a budget measure, saving the council £1.7 million per year.

It is not being introduced at either additional support needs schools or the area’s primary schools.

Lunches will remain available at secondaries on the half-day, and free transport for eligible pupils will be provided at both the 12.30pm official end of the school day and at 3pm for those choosing to take part in Future Fridays activity.

The programme will have more than 50 options including college courses, work placements, schemes including the Duke of Edinburgh’s award, volunteer opportunities, mental health workshops, outdoor education and music groups.

It is being supported by organisations including Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire, Young Scot, Sportscotland, New College Lanarkshire and Skills Development Scotland.

A council statement said:“for younger secondary pupils, the focus will be on fun, creativity and improving health and wellbeing. They’ll also get to do things they haven’t been able to do recently as a result of Covid restrictions.

“For older pupils, the focus will be on extended learning opportunities, preparing for the workplace, entrepreneurship and getting ready for further education and career pathways.”