Views sought on plans to cut down Dumfries and Galloway school week
A consultation on proposals to introduce a half-day for pupils on Fridays is live on the council's website, with drop-in sessions starting next week
A consultation is opening on plans to potentially shorten the school week for pupils in Dumfries and Galloway.
The proposed new structure would see four slightly longer days, and one day per week that finishes at lunchtime.
Model already in place elsewhere in Scotland
The model has already been introduced in other parts of Scotland and is seen as having the potential to improve education, wellbeing and outcomes for children and young people as well as making Dumfries and Galloway Council a more attractive prospect for teaching staff to apply to.
However the EIS teaching union has already raised concerns about the impact cutting down on class contact time with pupils could .
A questionnaire is now live on the council’s website
Dumfries and Galloway Council is keen to hear a range of views including parents and carers, transport providers and local employers.
A hard copy can be handed in at any council Customer Service Centres, while a series of 16 community drop-in sessions is also being held.
- Dalbeattie High School Monday 26 August
- Douglas Ewart High School Tuesday 27 August
- Stranraer Academy Wednesday 28 August
- Castle Douglas High School Monday 2 September
- Dalry Secondary Tuesday 3September
- Dumfries Academy Wednesday 4 September
- Dumfries High School Monday 9 September
- North West Community Campus Tuesday 10 September
- St Joseph's College Wednesday 11 September
- Wallace Hall Academy Monday 16 September
- Kirkcudbright Academy Wednesday 18 September
- Sanquhar Academy Thursday 19 September
- Lockerbie Academy Monday 23September
- Langholm Academy Tuesday 24 September
- Annan Academy Wednesday 25 September
- Moffat Academy Thursday 26 September
The sessions will each take place between 4.30pm and 7pm. There will be information and staff available on the night and you will have the opportunity to fill in a survey.
"Vital to receive as much feedback as possible"
Council Leader, Gail MacGregor said of the consultation:
“It is vital that we receive as much feedback as possible in relation to the proposals to make changes to the structure of the school week. We have created a dedicated web page and I would urge everyone to take a look at this page. It contains digital, easy to follow content that explains the proposals, links to parent/carer and general stakeholder questionnaires, details of our community drop-in sessions which start next week and much more.
No decision on these changes will be made without this extensive period of consultation, which runs until 11 October. Please take the time to fill in a questionnaire and attend a drop-in session if you can.”
The consultation runs until 11 October.