THOSE extra minutes under the duvet can be precious - but teachers and pupils at Burnage High School are ready to re-set their alarm clocks to go off even earlier.
From September, the Manchester school, where Asian students are in the majority, will adopt a continental-style day, with youngsters at their desks by 8.05am.
But school bosses believe the earlier start and finish - with the last lesson completed before a half-hour lunch at 1.45pm - will boost attainment and improve behaviour.
They say shifting the day forward will mean the flow of lessons won't be disrupted by a lunch-break, after which youngsters can become rowdy and find it difficult to settle.
"We know through years of experience that after lunchtime, children are not as focussed as they were before," said head teacher Ian Fenn, a Muslim convert, "and we think the children deserve the best education we can give them."
Mr Fenn and his team have been developing the new idea since November, in conjunction with parents, governors and pupils.
A recent ballot of parents, pupils and future pupils was massively in favour of the change.
Pupils believe the earlier finish and the increased opportunity to attend sport clubs, study sessions and take part in other activities will make the earlier start worthwhile.
Plans are also being drawn up to boost the number of extra-curricular activities on offer after school, by bringing in outside organisations to run sports, arts and study sessions which could appeal to the wider community as well.
There is no need to fear that gangs of youths will spend afternoons on the streets, say pupils, for they are keen to make use of the "extra" time.
Muhammad Zirgham Mahmood, 15, says the chance to stay behind for sports clubs - especially football - will make getting up earlier worth the
effort. "At the moment, some children aren't allowed to stay after school for classes and sports because they have to go by bus and parents have fears about that," he said.
"But if school finishes early, they will be allowed to stay on.
"I have friends in other schools and they already think it's a good idea. I'm sure that once Burnage do this, other schools will copy us."
Some parents have been concerned that youngsters will have to go too long without food, but two breaks in the morning and new vending machines will allow them to snack between lessons - and they will have to stay in school for 30 minutes after classes, when lunch will be available.
Dr Clive Opie, deputy director of the institute of education at Manchester Metropolitan University, said he believed the changes at Burnage could have national significance.
"I think this is an interesting move that needs looking at and evaluating," he said.
"Certainly, there is this issue about children being more receptive in the morning and less so as they get more tired. But if they are getting upearlier, they may be tired by the end of the morning."

Tweet