IT has been reported that the Russell Group of Universities has decried the squeezing out of creative and technical subjects from the school curriculum.

This is also a factor in Scotland where the curriculum concentrates on the more academic subjects to the detriment of holistic pupil development.

It is time for a serious rethink about the school day, and the school year.

Let the school year consist of four equal 10-week terms, each term to be followed by three weeks of holidays.

As for the school day, that should begin at 9am and finish at 4pm for secondary pupils.

In the session from 9am to 1pm, the academic subjects should be taught, with a 20-minute break halfway through that session.

In the afternoon session lasting from 2 to 4 pm, the emphasis would be upon the creative, technical and physical education aspects of the curriculum.

There would need to be an addition to the school week by adding in attendance on a Saturday morn-ing from 10 to 12, this time to be spent on the creative, technical or physical education side.

Such a reformation would help to restore our position in the world's education league tables with its emphasis upon sound basic instruction, development of important skills and sharpening the critical awareness of our students

School would then be a place where teachers can do what they have been trained to do while the pastoral side would be catered for by those who have developed expertise in that area where emotional intelligence is needed.

Denis Bruce,

Bishopbriggs.