A COMMON secondary school day will be introduced across East Lothian in a move education chiefs hope will lead to more inter-school projects.

East Lothian’s six secondary schools have traditionally set their own timetables – leading to different start and finish times, as well as a range of lunch breaks.

East Lothian Council carried out a public consultation over plans to synchronise the days to bring all the schools in line with one another.

And, after nearly three quarters of those surveyed gave the thumbs up to the change, Fiona Robertson, East Lothian’s head of education, recommended  all schools have a 32-period week.

All six schools will finish their day earlier than usual under the new proposal – with a 3.25pm midweek home time.

And five of the six face an earlier start with only Ross High School, Tranent, already starting its timetable with the 8.30am registration which will now be across the board.

Pupils at Musselburgh Grammar will start their day 15 minutes earlier than present, while at Knox Academy, Haddington, it is 14 minutes earlier.

Youngsters at Preston Lodge, North Berwick High School and Dunbar Grammar will also have roughly 10 minutes less time in bed.

Mrs Robertson told a council meeting on Tuesday that the next stage would be consulting with “key stakeholders”, including trade unions and the people who provide home to school transport, over a phased introduction of the new timetables.

It will also likely lead to a change in school day hours for some primary schools who share transport with their high schools, to ensure the needs of pupils can still be met.

Earlier proposals to set down a new common day for primary schools and increase P1 and P2 hours to 25 a week, instead of the current 22.5 hours, have been shelved.

Mrs Robertson said that the common school day for secondary schools would improve inclusion and make it easier for schools to work together.

Three of the secondary schools –  Musselburgh Grammar, Dunbar Grammar and Knox Academy, Haddington –  have said they will be ready to introduce the new timetable in August next year. The others are expected to opt for a phased introduction.

The schools are said to have been keen to introduce the common day, which was backed by pupils who attended a Youth Summit in the county earlier this year.

Councillor Shamin Akhtar, cabinet spokesperson for education, said: “The introduction of a common secondary school day will deliver a number of educational benefits for young people.

“Having this consistency will help to raise attainment amongst all our young people and reduce inequalities. It also increases the opportunities for pupils to take part in inter-school learning, accessing a broader range of courses and qualifications delivered by our schools, partners or through digital technologies.

“This is in line with the feedback that we received from young people at the Youth Summit.”

After a 10-minute registration, there will be seven, 50-minute periods: two in the morning; two more after a 15-minute morning break; then three in the afternoon following a 40-minute lunch break (12.15-12.55pm).

On Fridays, school will finish at 12.15pm after four periods plus a mid-morning break.