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Hundreds of parents have criticised plans for schools across Bridgend county borough to close up to 45 minutes earlier.

Porthcawl Comprehensive, Pencoed Comprehensive and Ysgol Maesteg School and Nottage Primary School have all put forward proposals to close earlier from September 2019.

The shorter days would see primary school children finish as early as 2.45pm instead of 3.30pm and secondary school children finish at 3pm instead of 3.25pm.

The schools say the early closure wouldn't affect teaching time, instead, it's thought pupils would have a shorter morning break and lunchtime.

But hundreds of parents have hit out at the proposals - saying it will make it harder for working parents to collect children, reduce the time children spend socialising outdoors and even impact pupil's mental wellbeing.

One parents described it as a "ludicrous idea" and said parents "already struggle enough sorting out childcare".

(Image: Western Mail)

This comes after other schools in Wales, including three in Pembrokeshire , announced plans to close at lunchtime of Fridays.

Porthcawl Comprehensive - which has a cohort of 1,400 pupils - sent a letter to parents on February 23 announcing its proposed plan.

The letter reads: "It is proposed that the school will open at 8.45 and lessons will finish at 3pm.

"The internal timings of the day will be adjusted to accommodate the change. The time spent teaching will remain totally unaffected."

Following suit, Nottage Primary School in Porthcawl said it plans to cut its school days to bring them in-line with the comprehensive, making it easier for parents with children at both the primary and secondary school.

A letter sent to parents on April 4 reads: "As you may be aware, Porthcawl Comprehensive has proposed a change to their school day.

"As we are in such close proximity, we feel in the best interest of our pupils and parents we should align with their proposal.

"It is proposed to change the times of the school day from September 2019 onwards. The change is applicable for all learners at the school."

(Image: Andrew Davies)

If given the green light, lessons at Nottage Primary School would finish at 2.45pm for nursery pupils; 2.50pm for those in reception, year one and year two; and 2.55pm for year three to six.

Lessons currently end at 3.30pm.

According to Bridgend County Borough Councils , Pencoed Comprehensive and Ysgol Maesteg School have also told the local authority that they are also consulting with pupils, parents, carers and staff on changing the timings of the school day.

A spokesman for the council said: "This is not a council proposal. Under the 2009 School Regulations, either a local authority or a school governing body is able to propose this.

"The time spent teaching will remain unaffected."

One Nottage Primary School parent, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: "Our concern is that the lunchtime play will be cut down by 15 minutes and there will be no afternoon play.

“The majority of children will go straight into an enclosed after-school club, and extra childcare cost for already struggling parent, or go home and spend an extra half hour a day on the screen.

“A reduction in social interaction, fresh air and exercise leading to obesity and increased mental health issues.

“There are concerns about slow eaters who leave food behind as they do not want to miss out on playtime. The impact on them would be worse.”

(Image: Western Mail)

The mum believes the school is planning on closing earlier so teachers have more time to plan lessons once the new curriculum is introduced.

A petition has been set up by Hannah Rhiannon, who has children at Nottage Primary school, to "prevent cuts and adjustments to school hours across Bridgend County Borough".

She said: "However you view it and however it affects you as a family, this will affect working parents financially and reduced play times for children."

At the time of writing, 377 people had signed the petition.

Michelle Dobbin, who signed the petition, said: "I am greatly concerned that despite the evidence-based research that proves playtime is fundamental in a child’s development. Nottage Primary is planning on cutting playtime to suit the new curriculum."

Adrian Rose added: "This decision has a direct effect on working families causing strain on the work life and financial situation."

Hugh McGleish said: "This decision has a direct effect on my family. Cuts are not the answer to everything. This impacts many people in different ways."

Kirsty Savil wrote: "My husband and I work full-time 9 to 5 and we would really struggle to accommodate shorter days in school and it would result in us having to pay extra for childcare. With the rising cost of living, this could put a lot of financial strain on our family."

A group of parents and pupils are also planning to protest outside Nottage Primary School on April 25.