More trials for longer school days in Wales may be held, the Welsh Government has confirmed. Responding to a report showing an initial trial last year was successful a Welsh Government spokesman said more would be held as part of ongoing reforms.
Pupils, schools and parents taking part in a longer school day trial in Wales say the extra hour was beneficial and should be continued. The trial, offering pupils extra art, music and sport activities as well as lessons, ran for 10 weeks from January 2022 in response to lost learning and socialising after lockdowns.
An evaluation of the trial recommends that it continue but acknowledges the financial and practical implications. Overall 13 schools and one FE college – spread across the Vale of Glamorgan, Neath Port Talbot, Blaenau Gwent, Cardiff, and Rhondda Cynon Taf – took part in the initial trial.
The eight primaries, three secondaries, two all-age schools, and college involved are all English-medium and in areas of higher deprivation. A total of 1,862 children signed up for free after-school sessions for five hours a week in the trial.
