Pupils and teachers at Acomb’s Westfield Community Primary School, one of two in York piloting the scheme for six months, said it had changed the school day for the better. York Council’s Children and Education Executive Member Coun Bob Webb said he wanted national support to be an ambition for the new Labour government but national finances made it difficult.
Year Four teacher Amy Lackenby told LDRS the scheme had left children more energised in the afternoon and better able to take part in lessons. Miss Lackenby said: “We know some families were struggling because pack ups were becoming more expensive to make, this has created more equality in the school.” Coun Webb said the council chose to spend money on the scheme because it would help children’s development in the long term while saving parents money.