Colerne School could be setting a new trend in September when it finishes two hours early each Friday afternoon.

It is the first school in the country to change its hours to give teachers more preparation time during the day.

An after school club will be run by volunteers so no disruption is caused to parents and the children are able to stay on site until 3.25pm.

The idea was first discussed by the school governors a year ago. This was followed by a consultation with parents and the setting up of the Me 2 Fun Club to coordinate the after school activities.

Headteacher Anne Orme was keen to implement the changes as soon as possible to broaden the pupils' experience and to lighten teachers' workload.

She said the governors were dedicated to addressing teachers' work-life balance and this was one way of remodelling the workforce.

"This will bring teachers greater flexibility to manage their workload," she said. "Friday afternoons will be for staff meetings and collaboratory learning and preparation. These are normally done after school before they go home and do marking and planning until 10pm at night.

"Every single member of staff is supportive of this idea. Time in school without children is gold dust.

"Many people think teachers come in around 9am and leave at 3.30pm but these days are long gone. I feel when they leave the site they should begin the rest of their life and shouldn't have to be taking work home after being in school until 6pm."

Teacher Craig Gibbons said the change to the school day would make a huge difference.

"I think it will have a significant impact in reducing the workload," he said. "Everyone will be available at the same time for planning and we will be able to use the time to address some things that normally happen after school.

"I have two children and my wife is a teacher. Around certain times of the year we just don't see each other. Personally, from a family point of view, I think it is great as it means I will have more hours at home and can spend more time with my family."

But it took some time before all the community was ready to accept the change.

Mrs Orme said: "We worked very hard with the people in the community who could not see the advantages at first. What finally persuaded people was the quality of the activities."

The Me 2 Fun Club will cost £5 a week per pupil but with fundraising the independent non-profit making company hopes to subsidise the activities further to bring the price down.

Activities lined up for the September term include drama workshops by the Bath Theatre Royal, circus entertainers Circomedia, Bath Rugby Football Club and Bath City Football Club providing specialist training.

Bath Dancentre will also be providing tuition in Latin American ballroom and disco dancing.

Cathy Biggs, a trustee of the club and a parent, said: "This is an opportunity for the children to participate in an exciting range of enriching activities that they might not otherwise have had access to in a rural community like ours.

"The focus will be in encouraging the children to learn new skills, have fun and at the same time encouraging parents to become actively involved."

Governor Megan Jones said the whole school was excited about the new club.

"This is a fantastic project," she said. "We have had tremendous response from the parents and the children.

"We chose the name Me 2 Fun because we hoped that everyone would want to be involved."

Mr Gibbons said when they first canvassed parents about the after school club they received 30 replies.

But when the Me 2 Fun Club brochures went out illustrating all the activities, they received an influx of 150 responses and now have a waiting list.