RADICAL changes to the timetable at Malton School this term will give students opportunities to further their education.

The school says the new lesson structure will enhance the quality of teaching and learning and provide important personal development opportunities for students.

From this term the school bell will ring slightly earlier at 8.40am and the day will be divided into four 75 minute lessons before finishing at 3.15pm.

The current hour-long lessons have been increased to promote deeper investigatory and independent learning among students. It also allows more time for constructive feedback and dialogue between students and teachers to accelerate the rates of progress being made.

The homework club will continue to run four nights a week, Monday to Thursday, until 5pm.

A key part of the timetable changes will be an additional lesson on Thursdays when school will finish at 4.25pm. This will be focused on the acquisition of wider skills where students can choose each term from a wide range of personal development activities.

These include anything from climbing, archaeology and aerobics to debating, gardening and charitable work. Eighty students have signed up for the Duke of Edinburgh award.

Rob Williams, headteacher of Malton School, said: “These changes have been brought in as a key platform of our drive to provide an outstanding, rounded educational experience for all of our young people. The addition of a strong personal development programme will complement and enhance the academic excellence already being achieved by students in the school.”