Ref. 29586-55PARENTS have reacted angrily over plans to change lesson times at a Wroughton school.

Under proposals being drawn up by education bosses, pupils at Ridgeway School will finish early in return for an early start and a cut in their lunch break.

At a meeting with parents last week, headteacher Elizabeth Cooper outlined the plans.

Now a group of concerned parents has launched a petition. So far, more than 300 signatures have been collected with more promised.

At present, the 1,450 pupil start at 8.50am and finish at 3.50pm.

If approval is granted next month, the school day will start at 8.40am and finish at 3.20pm. On Fridays that will be cut to 3pm.

Most teaching will be done in the morning with just one lesson scheduled for afternoons.

Lunch breaks will also be cut from one hour and ten minutes to 45 minutes.

Gary Bromage, 47, who lives in nearby Boness Road, has a daughter and a son at the school.

He believes the move would spark a decline in school sport and other extra-curricular activities. He said: "Both of my children enjoy sport and I can't see that there will be time to fit it all in. They cannot do exercise on top of a full stomach."

Parents also warn the proposed finish time would see a dramatic rise in traffic congestion with Wroughton Junior School just a stone's throw away from Ridgeway finishing at about the same time.

"The traffic along the roads leading up to both the schools is a nightmare," said Mr Bromage.

"You have to plan your day around the school. Between 3pm and 4pm you cannot get your car on or off your drive. Cars are double -parked everywhere. These plans would make the situation worse."

Keith Gadd, resident caretaker of Wroughton Junior School said emergency vehicles would struggle to access the two schools.

"It's ludicrous," he said.

"There is no way a fire engine or an ambulance would be able to get up here if the two schools finished at the same time. We are talking about 2,000 children all finishing at more or less the same time.

"It'll be a complete nightmare for people living down here."

Mrs Cooper promised to take all views on board before a decision was made.

She said: "The Ridgeway is a successful school and we are looking at ways of improving it.

"We believe adjustments to the school day will help us improve the quality of learning, opportunity and achievement for every student.

"The school lacks the resources for a quality lunchtime for the majority of our students, who deserve better than a lengthy lunchtime in inadequate accommodation with little to do.

"Congestion is an issue. I would welcome further support from the local community and Swindon Council to make routes to school safer and more manageable."

Two years ago, Kingsdown School made changes to its lesson times. Pupils now start at 8.40am 10 minutes earlier and finish 15 minutes earlier at 3.40pm.

Lessons have been extended from 50 minutes to a full hour, and lunch breaks have been cut from an hour and 10 minutes to one hour.

Headteacher David Williams stressed the importance of a proper lunchbreak as a useful time for extra-curricular activities.

He said: "Many pupils engage in sporting activities. Those who live a bus ride or two away or rely on lifts may be put at a disadvantage because they may not be able to stay after school."

Mr Williams said he favoured an early finish.

"In Germany, pupils start at 7.30am and finish at 1.30pm. Nearly all take part in sport. Unfortunately, we do not have the facilities in the UK. My fear is that a lot would get themselves in trouble."

Kevin Shoesmith