North Lanarkshire Learning and Leisure Services are proposing to change the configuration of the school day from August 2016. This proposal applies to all secondary schools across the Council. I am conscious that a change took place in 2013 but unfortunately the decision to allow individual schools to vary structures has resulted in a significant number of different approaches being adopted which are not able to fully deliver the anticipated opportunities for young people in secondary schools.
Following a period of evaluation and research North Lanarkshire Council is now proposing to adopt a common model of 33 periods of 50 minutes in all secondary schools from August 2016. This will be accompanied by a co-ordinated approach to curriculum planning designed to ensure that the needs of all our young people are met.
The benefit of this approach is that it will allow for increased curricular opportunities for pupils in the senior school since they will be able to access a wider range of courses. The secondary Head Teachers have been working together on a uniform approach to curricular planning. This co-ordinated approach will ensure that the needs of all young people are met. The authority also propose to implement a common timetable for S5 and S6 in order to maximise choice for students. A wider range of courses will be on offer in pupils’ base schools, in neighbouring schools and from our college partners.
The details of the proposed new weekly configuration of the timetabled day are detailed below. If you have any questions about its operation, I will be happy to answer them.
| Day of Week | Start | Finish | Morning Break | Lunch Break |
| Monday, Tuesday, Thursday | 8.55am | 3.45pm | 10.35am – 10.50am | 12.30pm – 13.15pm |
| Wednesday, Friday | 8.55am | 2.55pm | 10.35am – 10.50am | 12.30pm – 13.15pm |
If you have any comments on this proposed configuration, please forward them in writing to me at the school either by letter or email. The appropriate email address to use is: enquiries@taylor.n-lanark.sch.uk. I would ask that you respond to this request no later that Wednesday 24th February 2016.
