TWO Hampshire schools have decided to extend their school days in the county’s first case of its kind.

After controversy surrounded plans from Fawley Infant and Blackfield Primary to lengthen the academic day, the executive head teacher of the two schools has confirmed the move to add 25 minutes will go ahead.

The two academies also wanted to add a week on to the October and May half-term breaks to claw back time.

After a consultation period that saw an online petition against the move set up, the October holiday will be two weeks long, with the Christmas break also having an extra day added.

May half-term will continue to be one week.

The plans will come into effect in September and will run for at least two years.

The schools say that staff and parents were consulted before the announcement which has been made to meet the demands of the modern curriculum.

Claire Lowe, executive principal said: “Everyone was committed to the 25 minutes to be added on. It was really good to hear from the parents after we said about what we hoping to do.

“Based on the recommendations of the working party and parents, and working with staff to ensure that we are able to provide rich learning experiences and achieve the higher standards that are expected for all children, we believe that we have created a successful model for all of our children and their families.”

“We had to compensate for time, nobody would want to work for longer and not be paid for it, so we tried to listen to parents and decide on the days to add to the holidays.”

The days will now begin at 8.35am for both infants and juniors, and finish at 3.10pm for infants, and 3.25pm for juniors.

In a letter to parents, the Inspire Learning Federation said: “We hope that the proposed new distribution of days will reduce the negative impact on family life. With just ten minutes extra at the end of the day we hope that families will not be too inconvenienced.

“We appreciate the time taken by many of you to personally respond to the recent consultation.”

The plans to alter the timetable were unveiled in October last year and came under fire from the National Union of Teachers, which said small children had limited attention spans and were unlikely to benefit.

An online petition was launched by 100 people, criticising the proposals.

Ms Lowe said: “If any parent has any questions I urge them to contact me directly on adminoffice@inspirelearningfederation.org. "