Concerned parents launch campaign to stop 'plan to cut lunch break' at one of Sheffield's biggest schools
Hundreds have signed petition set up by parent
Hundreds of worried parents have signed a petition, claiming one of Sheffield’s biggest schools wants to shorten their children’s lunch break.
So far, 726 have put their names to the petition online to voice their opposition to what organisers describe as plans to reduce the lunch break.
Tapton, on Darwin Lane between Crosspool and Ranmoor, has been listed by the Sunday Times as one of the UK’s best comprehensives schools
The petition starter said: “As a parent of children attending Tapton School, I am deeply concerned about the proposal to reduce lunchtime next year. Lunchtime is not simply a break; it is an essential part of the school day, allowing students to eat properly, socialise, recharge and return to afternoon lessons ready to learn.”
She said the the current lunchtime period was already challenging for many pupils, as food queues could be long, leaving some youngsters with limited time to eat, while they also needed time to use toilet facilities, refill water bottles and take a meaningful break.
She is concerned that a shorter lunch risks increasing these pressures and impacting student wellbeing.
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The petition added: “We are also concerned about the potential loss or reduction of lunchtime clubs and activities, which provide valuable opportunities for students to develop skills, build friendships and access supportive spaces beyond the classroom.”
“We respectfully ask Tapton School’s leadership team and governors to pause this proposal and consult meaningfully with parents, students and staff before making any changes.”
Bosses at the school said the plan was to reduce the lunch break to 40 minutes, not 30 minutes as some had speculated.
Clubs and extra-curricular activities would not being cancelled, and pupils will continue to have access to a wide range of enrichment, leadership and extra-curricular opportunities.
School leaders say a 40-minute lunchtime operated successfully at Tapton from 2017 to 2024, during which pupils had enough time to buy and eat their dinner, socialise and take part in wider activities, and are confident this will continue to be the case under the new arrangements.