New school day... 8am to 5.30pm

SCHOOLS in Scotland could open earlier to make sure all pupils have eaten breakfast, under plans being considered by headteachers.

The school day could be also be extended into the late afternoon to allow children to do their homework before going home.

Last week, the SNP confirmed in its Programme For Government that headmasters are to be given far greater control over their budgets in a bid to close the attainment gap.

Education Secretary John Swinney is to launch a review later this week into how the scheme could work.

School Leaders Scotland, which represents headteachers, told The Scottheir tish Mail on Sunday it wants to open schools earlier and extend the day. That could mean pupils start at 8am and go home at 5.30pm.

General secretary Jim Thewliss said: ‘Breakfast clubs are a way of preparing pupils for the morning. If there was an issue with attendance and getting young people into school, we would welcome the opportunity to use some of the funding to get them into school at a good time.’

As well as no longer having to serve breakfast, parents may also be spared helping out with homework.

Mr Thewliss said: ‘If children are going home to difficult circumstances, it is unrealistic to expect them to do maths homework or finish an English essay. We could have a facility after school, with staff and support available, to get an essay done between 3.30pm and 5.30pm.’

Research by Scottish Labour found 72 per cent of Scots schools have breakfast clubs, significantly below Wales at 96 per cent, the North- East of England at 91 per cent and Greater London at 89 per cent.

Scottish Labour education spokesman Iain Gray said: ‘The SNP should commit to a breakfast club in every school. It will mean that our children start the day with a healthy meal. That will help cut the attainment gap. For all the talk about education and childcare in Scotland, the most recent league table puts Scotland bottom of the UK.’

But Eleanor Coner of the Scottish Parent Teacher Council said: ‘Some people may question whether a breakfast club is helpful. It should not take the place of parents. Parents should be given help to support their child.

‘Schools are very aware they need to improve the skills of parents who struggle to be involved in their child’s education because they do not have the skills in literacy or numeracy, or lack confidence.’

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘These reforms will provide an additional £500 million over the current parliament, with all funds distributed direct to headteachers.

‘They are best placed to identify where this additional funding will have the biggest impact.’

‘Scotland at bottom of UK league table’