Primary school to cut Friday school day by two hours

Hi our school in England has just announced it is cutting the school day by 2 hours in a Friday due to funding cuts. Has anyone else any experience of this? I can only see bad outcomes for the children (loss of learning time, reduced intake) as well of course as the knock on input for us as parents.

I will of course write to our MP, attend the meeting, speak to the trustees but anything other perspective appreciated. I want to support our school and I’m sorry they are having to do this.

Dear Parents/Carers, Proposed Adjustment to School Timetable

Like many schools across the country, we are facing financial pressures due to a combination of factors, including national funding challenges and a declining school roll, particularly (our borough). To ensure we can continue to provide the best possible education for our pupils, we are proposing a trial of a new school timetable. This initiative aims to enhance teaching and learning by providing dedicated planning time for our staff, allowing teachers to collaborate more effectively, leading to improved lesson planning and a more consistent learning experience for all pupils. We are proposing a trial period for this adjusted timetable, beginning in Summer Term 1, commencing on April 22nd, 2025, and concluding at the end of the academic year. Following the trial, we will carefully review its effectiveness and address any concerns, seeking feedback from parents/carers and pupils in June, ensuring that there is clarity for all families ahead of September 2025. The proposed adjustment involves an early finish on Friday afternoons at 1:15pm for children in Reception - Year 6. This will enable all teachers to engage in collaborative planning sessions, enhancing their professional development and ultimately benefiting pupil learning. Children in our nurseries will continue to finish at normal time on Friday afternoons. The school will remain open until 3:20pm for pupils with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), those pupils who are Pupil Premium recipients and Looked After Children. During this time, we will offer engaging and enriching activities led by our dedicated support staff. Parents/carers of these children will have the option to collect their children at 1:15pm or stay until 3:20pm for the whole term. More information and sign up for the whole term will be communicated soon. We understand that this proposed change may require adjustments for some families. To address potential childcare needs, we will be working with our childcare partners to explore options for affordable after-school care during the trial period. We value your input and encourage all parents/carers to attend an information meeting to learn more about this proposal and share your feedback. The meetings will be held on Friday 31st January, at 9:00am in our community room.