Push for major shake-up of timetables in Angus secondary schools

A half day in school each week for pupils and shorter lunchtimes are among proposals put forward in a radical shake-up of Angus secondary schools.

Councillors have agreed in principle to press ahead with plans to follow in neighbouring Dundee’s footsteps and seek to replace the current 35-period week with a 33-period arrangement in less than two years’ time.

It is believed the move will free up more learning time by reducing non-teaching form periods.

The local authority is now embarking on a major consultation with staff, pupils and parents after opponents failed in a bid to delay the move planned for August 2017.

Critics claim the impacts could include childcare problems for some parents and leave youngsters from rural areas with “no appetite for learning” if they have to go for six hours between breakfast and lunch.

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