School launches blog on new build work

Deputy head Seamus Murphy is now blogging updates on the new school work he is leading on the school’s website (link opens new window).

You can also feedback direct to Mr Murphy from there.

New school start time decision delayed

The proposal to start the lower school at a different time to the upper school has been postponed as the proposed decant of children from the lower to the upper school has been put back and may need to happen.

Parents expressed concern at a proposed 8 am start from yrs 7&8. Any new proposal may offer the early start and an alternative staring  Yrs 9,10,&11 later.

But the proposed decant has been delayed until the summer holiday next year, ready for the new term in September 2010.

Also, a legal challenge to the redevelopment of Lewisham Bridge primary school may mean that the building those children were using near to Deptford Green could be free, avoiding the need to squeeze students into one site.

Parents did suggest that Deptford Green should make clear the proposed new start time well in advance – particularly as it might put off prospective parents choosing schools this year for current year 5s.

But a number of factors prevent that happening:

• Various interested stake holding groups need to be consulted, not just parents and students
• Research into different start times and evidence from schools running ‘continental days’ will be examined
• The school’s own decant arrangements will not be known by September/October when secondary choices are made
• To change the times of the school day the school must consult with parents for three months in advance

Do you want to wake your child at 6am?

UPDATE: This is not currently going to happen. See delay.

The school is consulting on a new start time of 8am for years 7&8.There is a meeting this Wednesday evening in the main hall at 6.30pm.

The proposed start times will mean parents having to get their children up, washed and breakfasted in time for rush-hour journeys to school.

Some have said they will need to get their children up before 6am.

Recent research from Professor Russell Foster of Oxford University suggests the school should have moved to a later start for older children as this better suits their brains.

Evening standard story – opens new window
Times Education Supplement story – opens new window

One head teacher, Dr Paul Kelley, head of Monkseaton Community High School in North Tyneside, has asked for permission to start his school at 11am (Guardian – opens new window)

Parents have also pointed out that they will have to get back from work much earlier to be at home when their young children finish school, potentially harming employment prospects.

The school has failed to provide its reasons for the early start.