Thousands of children across the UK could be getting a shorter week as head teachers decide to close schools early on a Friday to save money.
Although it sounds like a dream for most schoolchildren, headteachers are warning it could seriously jeopardise their education.
However, as they can no longer staff classrooms properly many have been left with no choice but to shut schools early on a Friday.
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The Mirror reports that 24 schools across England have scrapped Friday afternoons, and more than 200 heads have warned they are thinking of doing the same.
Sending pupils home at lunchtime on Fridays means heads can employ fewer assistants to provide cover for teachers who are out of the classroom doing vital preparation work for other lessons.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Union of Headteachers, said: "The idea that some schools have moved to a 4.5 day week and that others are considering the same option ought to be ringing serious alarm bells with the Government.
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"School budgets are at breaking point. School leaders have made all the obvious savings, now they are faced with having to make major changes to the way they provide education."
Head teacher Michelle Gay introduced a shorter week at her school in Birmingham and says it was the only way to save £35,000 which is the equivalent of a teacher's salary.
She said having a half day on Fridays was due to shrinking budgets and rising costs.
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Michelle told The Mirror: "We would never ever have thought about it apart from the funding issue.
"If we hadn't have done that then we would have run a deficit budget this year.
"We can make small savings; if I reduce the swimming it's £1,500 or music it's £2,000 but £3,000 is peanuts when talking about a teacher or teaching assistant."
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