By Chris Marzella
Copyright dailyrecord
A consultation has been launched to explore the possibility of changing the start and finish times at high schools in West Dunbartonshire . West Dunbartonshire Council is inviting residents to share their thoughts on the proposal, which could free up an additional 50 minutes of learning time each week. The Educational Services Committee has given the green light for the consultation, seeking the opinions of parents and carers about shifting the school start time from 8.50am to 9am and extending the end of the school day to 3.50pm on Wednesdays. If the plan gets the go-ahead, the extra 50 minutes would be used to add another period of learning, increasing the total number of learning periods to 33 per week. The proposed change aligns with the aims of the Curriculum for Excellence (CfE), supports equity and attainment, increases curricular flexibility, and better aligns with national educational priorities such as reducing teacher contact time and promoting interdisciplinary learning. The proposed change has already been successfully rolled out across several other local authorities, including Angus, Moray, Dundee, Stirling, and North Ayrshire. The consultation kicked off on Thursday, September 18, and will continue for six weeks until Friday, October 31, with public meetings scheduled to allow residents, parents and carers to voice their views. The meetings will be held at: Each gathering will also offer an online option for any families who can’t make it in person. Parents and guardians who would rather can submit their queries in writing two days prior, and they will be considered and discussed by Educational Officers during the meeting. Councillor Clare Steel, Convener of Educational Services, said: “The views of our parents and carers are really important to us, and we want to hear their voices on how the proposed change may affect them and the young people in our schools. I’m pleased that meetings will also be available online so more parents and carers can attend to hear more about the proposed plans.” Click here for more news and sport from West Dunbartonshire. Councillor John Millar, Vice Convener of Educational Services, added: “It is important that we give families the opportunity to share their views on the proposed changes to the school day. Along with current families we will also be asking for the views of parents and carers of those young people starting secondary school in the summer. There are many ways to contribute to the consultation and I would urge families to either attend the meeting or submit their views so they can be taken into consideration.” The Proposal Document will be published on the West Dunbartonshire Council website and copies can be collected from the council offices at 16 Church Street, Dumbarton G82 1QL, as well as all early learning centres and primary schools in West Dunbartonshire. Parents and carers are invited to share their thoughts online at https://forms.gle/xDZuGDVqYvSA7w6S9 or by email to murray. hanvey@west-dunbarton.gov.uk. Written submissions should be addressed to the Chief Education Officer at West Dunbartonshire Council, 16 Church Street, Dumbarton G82 1QL. The Proposal Document is available in alternative formats or translated versions for those whose first language isn’t English. Feedback and comments should be submitted no later than midnight on Friday, October 31, with the consultation results and relevant recommendations being presented to the Educational Services Committee on Wednesday, November 26. If approved, the proposal will be implemented for pupils starting secondary school in August 2026.
