Proposal to move to an asymmetric school week Glenn Rodger Director of Education and Lifelong Learning

Agenda for this evening 1. What is an asymmetric week? 2. Why are we proposing a move to an asymmetric week – the educational and financial challenges? 3. The views of head teachers 4. Issues 5. Next steps 6. Opportunity to hear your views

The proposal To move to four and a half day asymmetric week for all schools from August 2014.

What is an asymmetric week? Instead of each day being the same length, it would mean four days being a little longer with every school finishing earlier on the fifth day. No reduction in total hours pupils attend or are taught It would leave schools with a half-day without pupil attendance

Why are we proposing an asymmetric week? To address both the educational and resource allocation challenges that currently face us. An asymmetric week will enable schools to plan and deliver effective teaching and learning with less resources

The educational challenge More cross school working on Curriculum for Excellence 3-18 – the need to develop broad general education and improve transitions Greater collaboration between primary and secondary giving teachers the chance to work and plan together Better trained and prepared teachers leading to improved attainment and achievement for pupils.

We will be able to move towards timetable alignment in secondary schools– enabling courses to be offered on a shared basis between schools and maintaining choices for pupils All secondary schools will be working to a 33-period week leading to a more effective use of teachers

The financial challenge A proposed reduction of £27.3 million across the council. A planned budget reduction of £11 million for Education and Lifelong Learning A commitment to find £9 million through our Business Transformation projects Together the planned reviews of primary and secondary education account for almost £6 million of this target

Savings over 5 Years

But there will be concerns…. An asymmetric week of four and a half days will create childcare concerns for many families The longer school day for four days might concern parents of younger children and of those pupils who have significant travel to school distances It doesn’t mean teachers “have Friday afternoons off”

Next steps Finalising the exact length of the school day in each learning community Ensuring school transport is re-aligned Working to ensure IT structures and systems are in place to support the curriculum Agreement how school meals might operate Engagement with partners (including childcare providers

Your issues and issues We know need to know your views and concerns These will be reported back to council in March and a final decision taken at that point

To comment…. Go to the website Fill in a response form – there are some here at you can get them at your local school Pupils will also be taking part in their own consultation exercise