TEACHING time at Red Oaks Primary School could be cut by two hours a week in order to prevent staff from being made redundant.

Rising costs and limited funding for education are the main reasons behind the move which is under consultation with parents of pupils at the schools in Blunsdon.

In a letter sent out to parents on Wednesday, headteacher Rachel Surch said: “We are considering shortening the school week by two hours by finishing at 1pm every Friday afternoon from September.

“As you may have heard through the press, media and other sources, there have been significant cuts to school budgets over the last few years and there are more cuts planned which has left us in a very difficult financial position as Swindon is already one of the lowest funded local authorities in the country.

“I believe that by making redundancies, we would compromise the quality of education the children would receive whilst at school. I am therefore proposing this alternative which would save money by reducing the contracts of support staff by two hours a week.”

Currently, pupils at Red Oaks Primary, which is under Swindon Borough Council, are in school from 8.40am to 3pm Monday to Friday - something which the school says is above the recommended minimum.

But under the new proposals, the school would reduce its hours to be in line with many others across the town, including Greenmeadow, Tregoze, Haydon Wick and others in the White Horse Federation.

However, Mrs Surch said the reduction has nothing to do with any other schools implementing similar hours.

She said: “Under the proposal, which is currently out for consultation, the earlier finish would save money by reducing the contracts of support staff, but maintaining the number of teachers at the school.

“Although the school will close slightly earlier on a Friday, teachers will continue to use that time for preparation to ensure the school provides the highest standards of education.”

If approved, the changes at Red Oaks Primary would leave many parents having to find alternative childcare arrangements in the two hours until 3pm for which the school has said paid-for afterschool sessions would be available.

Despite the announcement, Red Oaks Primary would continue to run five morning and five afternoon sessions in nursery at the current times.

A council spokesman said: “The decision to change the school day rests solely with the Governing Body although they are legally obliged to consult with parents. The school also has to ensure it is teaching at least the minimum required hours by the DfE, which is clearly the case with Red Oaks.

“It is not uncommon for schools to finish early on Friday’s and a number of primary schools in Swindon do take this approach.

“Many schools use the early finish for planning and preparation and it also provides an opportunity for schools to share best practice. Staff development and school improvement activities can also be carried out during this time, which will ultimately benefit children throughout the school.”