It is perhaps natural to expect, that with each new year, aspects of the School experience will change. Features such as the curriculum and the Schools processes and practices are constantly being reviewed and amended to provide the highest quality education and experiences for its pupils.

Despite these natural evolutions, there are some stalwart features that one would expect to remain. The clock tower, the distinctive black and yellow colour scheme, the portraits of headmasters in the Main Hall, to name but a few. But one defining feature that changed significantly in 1990-1 was the Schools timetable.

Historically, the Schools timetable has seen many amendments; from the removal of Saturday lessons to the shortening of the midday break with the provision of on-site lunches. However, in 1990, the decision was made to amend the timetable to accommodate changes to the National Curriculum.

Previously, the only subject within the Sciences that was made compulsory was Physics. However, changes to the National Curriculum required the compulsory study of “balanced sciences”. Incorporation of Biology and Chemistry as compulsory GCSE subjects required the extension of the School day by an extra lesson. Whist this meant an earlier start for pupils; this change regulated all periods to the 35 minutes that we are accustomed to today.

Do you recall this change? Or do you remember the infamous 50-minute last lessons on Friday afternoons?

Excerpt from 1990 edition of The Lion.