20 minutes become 60 as bus companies jump on board for College’s new timetable
Paston Sixth Form College‘s decision to change the time its day starts has received support from students, parents and teachers alike. Now the local bus companies have jumped on board, with dramatic effect – in some cases, students will be able to leave for College a whole hour later.
It’s all thanks to new bus timetables from September 2010, which will mean a much more streamlined operation, with students not only able to leave home later, but also get home earlier – giving them more time for work, rest and play.
From the beginning of the next academic year in September, Paston’s first class starts at 9.05am, which is 20 minutes later than at present. Although the decision is in line with modern thinking in terms of teenager sleeping patterns, it’s bucking a trend that has seen many educational institutions start their day earlier rather than later.
Meanwhile local bus companies and staff at Norfolk County Council’s Passenger Transport Unit have worked hard to meet the College’s requests for a rational approach to bus timetables, so that they better match the students’ needs. "The combination of the later start to our day with better transport links will make a significant difference to many students," says Peter Mayne, College principal. "Although we’re only starting 20 minutes later, most students will actually be able to leave home 30 to 60 minutes later than they do now. The coordinated approach also makes it practical to travel from further afield to Paston. For example, this year we’ve had interest from students travelling from Wymondham – which would have meant an impossibly early start before."
Jack Bonner is student vice president at Paston. He says the reaction has been 100% positive, especially with students who travel in from Norwich. "From the students’ perspective it’s a really good idea," he says. "Lots of the guys who come from the city have to get up really early. I have one friend who wakes at 6am every morning to catch a bus from Anglia Square around 7.30am. From September she’ll be able to catch one at 8.13am – it’s a significant difference."
Jack himself catches a bus from Aylsham. Currently he has to take one at 8am, but from September he’ll be catching the bus at 8.30am. "We all know teenagers need their sleep – extra time in bed is going to make us more attentive and more productive, as well as happier!" he says.
The streamlined timetables should mean most students get home earlier, too. "I plan to get an evening job next year – getting home earlier will give me the time to get my academic work done and allow me to earn some cash," Jack adds.
Peter Mayne comments: "The bus timetables are the last piece of the jigsaw," he says. "Coordinating the travel by bus and train with the new College day has been a huge planning operation. I’m sure the students would join me in thanking the companies, staff at Norfolk County Council and the other organisations involved for all their hard work!"
Meanwhile students using the railway to travel to Paston will also benefit from the 9.05am start, since they will be able to catch later trains than they do now. For example, the 08.23am from Norwich and the 08.25am from Sheringham will arrive in good time for the first class of the day. Currently students have to catch trains departing at 07.15am and 07.17am respectively.
For more information about Paston College, visit www.paston.ac.uk or call 01692 402334.