Cutting the school week by two and a quarter hours, with a 1pm finish each Friday instead of the usual 3.15pm end time, may not sound like much. But it adds up over the course of an academic year (39 weeks x 2.25 hours = 87.75 hours per year).

By the time they reach the end of Year 6, this is how much time in school your child stands to lose out on under the Consortium Trust’s new model.

From the start of Reception – 614.25 hours 

From the start of Year 1 – 526.5 hours 

From the start of Year 2 – 438.75 hours 

From the start of Year 3 – 351 hours 

From the start of Year 4 – 263.25 hours 

From the start of Year 5 – 175.5 hours 

From the start of Year 6 – 87.75 hours 

Make your voice heard

The Consortium Trust is set to impose a shorter school week on all of its primary schools in Norfolk and Suffolk. There is no evidence to support such a move. The view from Norfolk County Council was that a similar proposal for Buxton Primary School was ‘not in the best interests of children, families or staff’. 

Please make your views known to the Trust via any parent surveys at your child’s school. You may also wish to contact the Trust directly and share your concerns with your local MP.