Angus education chiefs have expressed confidence that the area’s four-and-a-half-day week for secondary schools will be a success when it comes into place in August.
But concerns remain in some quarters over the controversial timetable switch and the way after-school activities on the Friday half-day will operate.
The 33-period week of 50-minute classes was agreed by councillors last June and, in a progress report to children and learning committee members, head of schools and learning Pauline Stephen detailed the significant progress made ahead of the new timetable being implemented.
A working group is drawing up the details of the proposal and practical issues of implementation including presonalised support, pastoral issues and the June transition timetable.
The new school day will see three morning periods, followed by a break, two periods, lunch and then two further classes Monday to Thursday.
On Friday, five periods and a break will be fitted in before the 1.20pm finish to the school week.
Critics previously railed at a projected £370,000 additional transport cost for bussing pupils home from the area’s secondaries earlier than their primary counterparts, but the authority has now admitted its sums were wildly off the mark.
Strategic director Margo Williamson said a new figure of around £70,000 had been arrived at as a result of detailed work on the new timetable.
However, the issue of extra-curricular activities remains an area of concern
Montrose councillor David May said: “One basis for this change was the much lauded activities that pupils could get involved in in the early close on Fridays.
“It seems that not only will there clearly be a shortage of these activities and opportunities, there are real concerns from parents and communities about what happens to the numbers of pupils that do not take part.
“There is also the question of who pays for these youngsters to take part in activities in, for example AngusAlive, and where the staffing will come from to organise this.”
Kirriemuir councillor Ronnie Proctor added: “A lot of work has obviously been done on this, but I am still not happy about this and I stick to my guns that one size does not fit all. When I look at the finishing time on a Friday I still foresee problems in the future.”
Committee convener Sheena Welsh said: “It will be the same as all after-school activities and will not change from what it is now.
“Some will be charged for, some will not – there will be lots of low cost or free activities, but the council will not be subsidising other clubs.”
