A SWINDON comprehensive is proposing pioneering changes to the school day.

St Joseph's School, in Stratton St Margaret, has spent the past year looking at ways of getting the most out of the school day.

And it has engaged academics from Bath University to carry out a study on how it can be improved.

The new plans will mean lessons starting at 8.30am, 20 minutes earlier than usual, and finishing the day at 2.45pm, 45 minutes earlier than at present.

A major innovation is the addition of 20 minutes breakfast time from 8.05am to 8.25am as the buses arrive.

The Bath University study showed that many pupils miss out on breakfast but pupils work better if they have something to eat in the morning. The time handed over to breakfast will also provide a buffer before lessons start so that late buses will not prevent pupils starting on time. The school had looked at more than 15 different timetables, including a continental one used in German schools that could have meant pupils starting lessons at 8am and finishing by 1pm.

Headteacher, Peter Wells, said: "At the moment we are consulting with all of our parents and also with Swindon Borough Council.

"I am hopeful the proposal will come in but it may be slightly different.

"We think it will improve the quality of education offered to our youngsters. Pupils working more in the morning and having breakfast are all positive additions."

The study also showed that pupils are at their best working in the morning, so the new timetable features four periods before lunch and just two in the afternoon.

The early finish will give pupils the chance to take part in a wide range of optional enhancement activities.

, from Italian lessons to music and sport.

Chairman of governors, Monsignor Richard Twomey, said: "The idea came from senior management and everybody has been consulted about it.

"Parents will have their chance to give their views about it and the governors are supporting the plan."