THE SCHOOL DAY AT DESS

Doha English Speaking School | Option 1 is for every class to finish one hour earlier the Key Stage 2 pupils (Years 3, 4, 5 and 6) to finish at 1.00 pm every day the Key Stage 1 pupils (Years 1 and 2) to finish at every day the Reception pupils to finish at every day the Pre School pupils to finish at every day Option 2 is for the school day to remain as it currently is. This means Key stage 2 classes (Years 3,4,5 and 6) finish at 2.00 pm Key Stage 1 classes (Years 1 and 2) finish at 1.55 pm Reception classes finish at 1.45 pm Pre- school classes finish at pm Option 3 is for parents to have the option of either collecting your child at the current time or an hour earlier For any child staying an hour later they will have the chance to attend a homework club and have a snack break Change or no change? 5

Doha English Speaking School | Option 4 The school day remains the same but there will be an extended lunch break of approximately 40 minutes where your child will eat their packed lunch sitting at tables in the hall. Option 5 The school day starts one hour later but finishes at the same time.

Doha English Speaking School | Option 4 - New Break times Key stage 2-years 3,4,5 and 6 15 minutes in morning 40 minutes lunchtime –in hall sitting around tables and supervised by staff Key stage 1 years Reception, Y1 and Y2 15 minutes in morning 40 minutes lunchtime- in hall sitting around tables and supervised by staff Change or no change? 6

Doha English Speaking School | ‘School lunchtimes are often overlooked as a key time during children’s lives for socialising with peers and friends of their own choosing. In a programme of research studies we have conducted, we have found that breaktimes, and particularly lunchtimes, are a main site for meeting with friends and engaging in enjoyable activities in relative safety without the close intervention or control of an adult. In contrast, children in class are quietened and hurried along by teachers anxious to make the most of the curriculum time available. Our surveys also have shown that out of school there are reduced opportunities for socialisation and outside play – largely brought on by parental concerns about transport and stranger danger.’ breaktimes IOE LONDON BLOGIOE LONDON BLOG Expert opinion from the UK's leading centre for education research IOE LONDON BLOGIOE LONDON BLOG Expert opinion from the UK's leading centre for education research 7

Doha English Speaking School | ‘Children engage in extended conversations on topics of their own choosing, learn about small talk and share enjoyable experiences, plan activities together with friends and acquaintances and support each other when life is not so rosy, develop early forms of social capital and learn the give and take of social relationships. School lunchtimes therefore offer a wealth of social, emotional and moral opportunities – but they are overlooked as occasions for the learning of important lessons, largely because teaching does not take place and they are not part of the formal curriculum. What is more, lunchtimes, whether we are talking about eating a meal or opportunities for outside play and social engagement, are times that the substantial majority of children in our surveys report being very happy indeed. So from the perspective of recent efforts to measure and to improve national happiness and wellbeing one could do much to try and preserve these social occasions for children.’ 8

Doha English Speaking School | On- line universities.com  Research has found no link between longer school days and improving scores.  Longer days allow for more instruction in core classes, individualized attention and additional tutoring time for struggling students.  Some scholars have argued that it isn’t longer school days that improve scores, but the quality of interactions students have with teachers and each other.  Studies find that some students are only on task for about a third of the hours spent in school.  Shorter summers may benefit students more than longer school days.  Extended school days are less successful when schools start earlier.  We underestimate the social function of school breaktimes, e.g. in terms of developing social skills, forming friendships and adjustment to school. The school day at DESS 1

Doha English Speaking School | 2 It is impossible to keep everyone happy We will consider the impact any change has on academic standards at DESS We will ensure the children still have the right amount of time dedicated to each subject We will review breaktimes for the children to ensure they are properly rested, hydrated and that they are eating their lunch We will consider timetables to ensure the day is organized and the best for the children to be happy and learning well We will consider all viewpoints before making any final decision

Doha English Speaking School | What next? 1.We will analyse the minutes of this meeting with the feedback from s and parents’ response forms. 2.We will invite any interested parents to complete and return another option form which will have the 4 th option of an extended lunch break and the fifth option of a later start to the day. This new option form will be ed out to all parents and there will also be paper copies available from the school office. 3.If you wish to re submit a new option form, there will be a new deadline of Sunday 29 th May. 4.Governors and senior leaders will look through the feedback and make a decision about which option to choose. This will be reported to parents by Thursday 9 th June. 9