Parents worry over dinner time clampdown at Birchwood Community High (From This Is Cheshire)

Parents worry over dinner time clampdown at Birchwood Community High

4:50pm Wednesday 10th February 2010

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PARENTS are becoming increasingly concerned at changes that may soon take place at Birchwood Community High School.

A consultation procedure is currently under way which, if approved, would see GCSE and SAT pupils having to wait until 1.50pm to eat lunch and then only have until 2.20pm to finish.

Four lessons could be crammed into a morning session, meaning only one hour will be taught after dinner for all students.

The proposals, revealed in a letter earlier this month, have been met with strong criticism from parents, and teachers’ union Nasuwt.

Fearnhead resident Andy Woodward has two children who attend Birchwood High.

Andy is particularly concerned about the new lunchtime setup which would see his kids have breakfast at 7.30am and eat lunch six and a half hours later.

“It’s completly and utterly ridiculous,” he said.

“How will they get kids through lunch time in half an hour?

“It is supposed to be a healthy eating school but going so long without food flies in the face of healthy campaigns.

“The head teacher indicated quite strongly that many parents are expressing the same view.”

Andy’s concerns were echoed by Nasuwt chief John Rimmer.

He said: “We would be opposed to these changes.

“It’s a ludicrous idea and unreasonable for children to eat lunch so late.

“The proposal is flawed and can’t benefit staff or pupils.”

Officials at Birchwood said the consultation was ongoing and no decisions had been made.

Head teacher Anne Bright said that changes were being considered because of a larger capacity at the school, meaning not all students can sit for lunch together and time moving between teaching blocks has increased. Morning break will be extended to 20 minutes but parents, including Andy, believe this time is used for ‘unhealthy snacks’.

Mrs Bright, however, said that Birchwood must adapt to ‘facilitate improvements in achievement and standards’.

John Rimmer said that the proposed regime would not aid improvements.

“Staff will be under increased pressure and how can this help to raise standards?”

Media manager Karen Dyble said that the school was ‘very open’ to feedback.

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