Schools to cut down on breaks and lunchtimes to solve discipline problems
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Schools are cutting down on breaks and lunchtimes to solve discipline problems and to squeeze in extra lessons, according to research to be published this week. Changes over the past five years could damage a vital part of children's social life and could restrict opportunities for them to develop their social skills, say the academics who compiled the report.
Researchers from London's Institute of Education found that about a quarter of infant schools, four out of 10 junior schools and a third of secondary schools had reduced their lunchbreaks in the past five years. But Dr Peter Blatchford, who carried out the research, warned: "There are signs that children of primary school age have less opportunities out of school for interacting freely with peers and thus developing friendships."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments