New research from the UCL Institute of Education has found that school break times in England have been significantly cut over the past two decades, with older pupils losing more than an hour of break time per week due to lessons increasingly taking up lunch and playtime. The report discovered that afternoons breaks, formerly taken by almost all primary school pupils, have now been “virtually eliminated”. Meanwhile, 25% of secondary schools now have lunch breaks of 35 minutes or less. Younger primary children (aged 5 to 7) now receive 45 minutes less break time per week than their counterparts in 1995, with secondary pupils aged 11 to 16 losing 65 minutes. Only 15% of those aged 7-11 and just over half of those aged 5-7 now have an afternoon break. In 1995, 13% of secondary school students enjoyed an afternoon break, however, by 2017, just 1% enjoyed such a break.
Lunch breaks have also shrunk, with nearly 82% of schools reducing lunch breaks to 55 minutes or less. Schools cite the need for more teaching time in order to cover the curriculum and limit poor behaviour. However, academics are concerned that children are missing out on valuable opportunities to make friends, develop social skills, exercise and boost their mental wellbeing.
The study also looked at the social lives of students outside of breaks, finding that fewer pupils were meeting peers after school. In 2017, 31% of children seldom met with peers and friends, compared with 15% in 2006. Researchers argue that educational break times are therefore even more important for young people’s development. The authors call for schools to stop shortening break times and for policymakers to consider legislation with regards to the issue. Currently, the Department for Education spokesperson states that it is up to the school to decide on the structure and length of the school day but that students should be given a suitable break.
