Primary school start and finish times put to the test

Tuesday 30 April 2024

The new start and finish times for Guernsey's primary schools will be put to the test in September, with parents and carers asked to direct any feedback to the schools themselves.

From next term, every States-run primary school will have the same length school day - at six hours and fifteen minutes.

Kim Hutchison, Head of Primary Leadership and Development said this has been brought in to ensure every child has the same access to education.

"We are seeking to bring consistency across primary schools to the number of hours in the school day. All schools will not start and finish at exactly the same time. For example, there will be a variance between 08:30-09:00 for school start times and 14:45 and 15:15 for school finishing times, and it has been the schools themselves that have decided which is best for them.

"The important part from an education equity perspective is that all our mainstream primary schools will operate a 6hr15min day."

Ms Hutchison has encouraged parents and carers with any concerns about the changes to the school day to liaise with their child's school directly. 

"There will be some change for most schools of between five and 15 minutes. Given that start and finish times will still be staggered we do not anticipate increased congestion issues, but each school headteacher will consider this and any measures they need to put in place. There is also only one bus time change at a single school.

"We are engaging with parents by sending the letter, well in advance of changes coming into effect in September, to give parents the opportunity to discuss with their child’s headteacher if needed."

Concerns have been raised with Express specifically around the two town primaries of Notre Dame du Rosaire and Vauvert.

Notre Dame's infants are educated at St Josephs in La Couperderie, and the juniors at the Burnt Lane site, but both sites will finish at 15:00 from September. Vauvert's pupils will finish lessons at 14:50.

Parents and carers with concerns about additional congestion caused by these timings, or any difficulties getting between the two Notre Dame sites are encouraged to see how the new system works in September before feeding back any comments to the schools directly.

Concerns over the school day being shortened for Notre Dame's juniors have also been allayed with a spokesperson for ESC reiterating that the standardised school day will ensure equity at all mainstream primary schools.