A KEIGHLEY school has announced revolutionary plans to finish lessons soon after lunchtime on Fridays.

University Academy Keighley has launched a consultation amongst parents about students finishing on Fridays at 1.15pm from September next year.

Instead of their usual sixth lesson of the day they would be able to spend the afternoon on extra-curricular activities such as school-based clubs and teams, or go and visits and trips organised with outside organisations.

UAK bosses say the new system would raise standards. They have described the proposed change as “relatively minor”, saying it would mirror arrangements at UAK’s successful partner school, Carlton Bolling in Bradford.

Adrian Kneeshaw, chief executive of the Carlton Academy Trust, said: “Currently UAK has six 50-minute lessons from Monday to Friday. The plan is for Monday to Thursday to stay exactly as now, with Friday dropping a single lesson to five on Friday.

“The main advantage of the change is that it will offer enhanced opportunities to run extended curriculum activities for students.

“Through these experiences our students will develop greater social capital, which will give them increased confidence and motivation to pursue ambitious life goals.

“This type of provision follows the system found in universities throughout the country, where one afternoon per week is devoted to extended curriculum provision. Although worthwhile on their own merit, these changes are also in line with the new Ofsted school inspection framework which looks at the extended curriculum offer in some detail.

“A secondary, yet important consideration is that it allows greater opportunities for staff development opportunities across both schools. With both enjoying earlier finishes on Friday, this provides greater time to hold joint training sessions at a time when staff are fresher and not suffering the negative effects of a longer working day.

“We have seen how this has raised standards at Carlton Bolling, and I am sure this will achieve the same at UAK.”

The consultation, amongst all UAK stakeholders, will close on Friday November 1 at noon.