***Bedford Free School to introduce 12 hour school day***

**PRESS RELEASE – EMBARGOED UNTIL 00:01 ON 01/04/2016**

Bedford Free School in significantly longer school day announcement:

• BFS to be first in country with compulsory 8am – 8pm lessons, Monday to Saturday.
• Changes to be introduced after extensive consultation with current Year 11 students.
• Impact of 72 hour school week to be assessed in partnership with University of Luton.
• School exploring the possibility of compulsory weekly-boarding and 24/7 learning from 2017.

BFS is delighted to announce today that from this September they will be the first school in the country to have lessons from 8am until 8pm, Monday to Saturday.

Principal Mark Lehain said:

“We have always been proud of our longer school day, and for a while now it has felt as though the obvious next step was to extend the school day late into the evening, and the school week into Saturday.”

Before making this momentous decision, extensive consultation with students was conducted. Mark Lehain said:

“Whilst our Year 11 are leaving us in a couple of months and won’t be around to actually experience the 72 hour school week, we decided that being the oldest and most mature students they would be most objective about such a change. I was delighted when they agreed so wholeheartedly with our proposal.”

Louisa Gradgrind, Head Girl, said:

“I only wish that I had been able to benefit from such a long and intense educational experience. My time at BFS has been amazing, but when I think of the hours I’ve wasted in the evenings relaxing and spending time with my family, I shudder to think what learning I have foregone.”

Timothy Cratchit, Head Boy, added:

“It’s not just about extra English and maths - when the Deputy Head Mr Donald pointed out how many extra hours of History that BFS students would enjoy, the penny dropped. Being able to study both Nazi Germany AND Vikings will transform life chances. I was delighted to be able to recommend adoption of the 72-hour school week to the Governors.”

The impact of such a long school week will be assessed in a unique partnership with Prof. Isla O’Daly at the University of Luton. Prof. O’Daly, Emeritus Professor of Feast Days & Holidays at the University’s Cauldwell Campus, explained:

“The short school day is a legacy of Victorian Britain, when today’s students need to be prepared for the jobs of tomorrow – jobs such as cyber-tree surgeons and cake database designers. The 72-hour school week is a brave move by BFS – its impact on student engagement, achievement and sleep patterns will be fascinating to track.”

Initial findings from the research are expected to be available by April 1^st next year. In another innovative move, the additional lessons will be staffed by local volunteer 6^th formers. BFS Chair of Governors Nigel Smythson said:

“We know how powerful peer teaching can be. We also know that school finances are only going to get tighter. Putting these two facts together, asking local teenagers to teach our teenagers for free made sense.”

Looking ahead, BFS are also exploring the possibility of converting the rooftop extension, currently being constructed, into a 500-bed dorm, and introducing compulsory weekly-boarding. Principal Mark Lehain said:

“The brain functions 24/7, 365 days a year – we are looking at how closely we can match the school experience to this. It’s also what Michael Gove would have wanted were he still Education Secretary. This is my tribute to him.”