Discretionary afternoon break time

Pupils in Year 1 and Year 2 have benefitted from a continuous afternoon session without a fixed, regular break-time since the start of term.

Last year teachers found that pupils could be so engrossed in their learning that they did not want to stop for an afternoon break; sometimes pupils needed a break earlier, reflecting the 'mood' of the class and some lessons needed to be shorter or longer than the timetabled slot reflecting the needs of our Fielding Learning Challenge Curriculum.

From September, afternoon breaks for Year 1 and 2 pupils are taken at the discretion of the class teacher.  Whole classes take a break together under the supervision of the class teacher as and when needed.  Individual teachers take the decision to either have an earlier break or a later break outside, a snack break and/or a focused brain-break using MindUp techniques in class, or no break in the learning, reflecting the needs of the class group and the planned learning for the afternoon.

"Teachers are best placed to know whether or when the pupils in their class need an afternoon break.  It's likely to vary with the age of the children during the school year, the type of learning being undertaken or simply the mood of children," explained Peter Dunmall, Head teacher.

"Since the start of term, all Year 1 classes have taken a break in the afternoon at a similar time because we felt that the children needed time to stop and play," added Miss Whaley, Year 1 Leader.

However, Mrs Tate, Assistant Head teacher said:"Year 2 pupils have taken snack and/or brain-breaks in the afternoon because they wanted to carry on with their learning tasks."

Break times for all other pupils are unchanged with Year 3 and older pupils always having an afternoon session with no break.

Typical timetables for each age group are now available for parents:

• Year group timetables, from September 2015