Why students need more break time not more subject time. (EIP)

Evidence Informed Practice/Leadership (Maybe)

Transcript - Senior Team: Curriculum Model Discussion

Headteacher: “Thoughts?”

Mr Grape: “If we get rid of Learning to Learn we will have an extra period for Maths.”

Miss Plum: “Keep it as it is but make sure English exam classes are timetabled in the morning.”

Mr Apple: “Extend the school day.”

Mr Orange: “ZzzzZzzzz”

Mrs Pineapple: “Create a carousel to include Technology, Drama and Music.”

Mr Mark: “How about we design our curriculum model that works on the premise that students should have a break every hour for approximately 20 minutes.”

Headteacher: “Seriously Mark - this is no time for joking. Does anyone have anything else to add that is based on rational thinking?”

What if Mr Mark’s comments are not a joke? What if, as school leaders, we continue to create curriculum models that focus on the wrong MORE.  Rather than MORE maths, English, science, norsk, Ebacc (UK) allocated time, perhaps we should focus on adding MORE break-times (recess) in an attempt to improve student performance. What a ludicrous idea, right? Wrong!  According to a study conducted in Denmark, cognitive fatigue in students has an impact on tests scores, with student performance deteriorating every hour of a school day. Unfortunately, such deterioration is inevitable based on the design of a school timetable rather than as a result of some biological design flaw.  If students receive a 20-30 minute break after every two hours of study, then cognitive decline is inevitable.  However, if students receive a 20 - 30 minute break after every hour of study, then not only is the deterioration halted, but test performance actually improves over the school day.  

Based on the above study which model should schools look to emulate?

A truthiness model showing student performance over a school day:

A reality model (based on many schools curriculum model/school day) showing student performance over a school day:

A possible model (based on a school day with a break for 20 min after every hour of study) showing student performance over a school day:

I'll let you decide...