THE number of school hours for primary one pupils in Glasgow is to change from August this year.

Traditionally four and five year olds starting school would only be in class for half a day for the first month to ease them in gently.

But now many more children are expected to be in nursery full time and so the soft start is being scrapped.

Councillor Chris Cunningham, City Convener for Education, Skills & Early Years said: “As we work towards 1140 hours free early learning and children care for all three and four year olds and eligible two year olds by 2020, it seems the sensible decision to move the P1 full time date.

“By August 2019, our P1 children will be full time from their first day of school and I’m sure that parents and carers will welcome this.”

The move comes as all local authorities prepare to expand early years so that all three and four year olds have up to 1140 hours of free early learning and childcare.

This equals full-time term-time hours and means more youngsters will be in nursery full time as the free hours roll out.

Maureen McKenna, Executive Director of Education, made the decision to change the P1 start times, a move already taken by other local authorities.

Pupils return to school after the summer holidays on Wednesday, August 15.

The P1 change will be phased in over two years. This year pupils will be in for a half day for the first two weeks but move to full-time from Monday, August 27 as opposed to Monday, September 3 which was originally planned in line with previous years.

In August 2019, all P1 children will start full-time at the start of term with the other children.

Exceptions will be made on an individual basis for vulnerable children or those in need of additional support with parents and carers involved in the planning.