Schoolchildren 'more alert and attentive in the afternoon'
Schoolchildren may be more alert, awake and ready to learn in the afternoon than they are in the morning, according to new research.
The study, conducted by the University of Oxford as part of the BBC Terrific Scientific educational campaign, analysed the sleep diaries of 900 children aged nine to 11, and discovered trends that challenged conventional wisdom about the best time to schedule lessons.
Sleep diaries covered three days on either side of the clocks going forward on March 26th, while a series of tests were also carried out to measure children's tiredness and reaction times in the morning and afternoon.
It was found that 68 per cent of participants described themselves as being more of an "evening type", with greater energy levels and higher alertness later in the day, meaning they tended to be sleepier in the morning than the afternoon.
The research also showed that sleep time for the children increased by an average of 30 minutes after the clock-change weekend, contradicting expectations that an hour's sleep would be lost. This was because pupils woke up ten minutes later on average in the morning after the clock change.
These findings may come as a surprise to many primary schools, which often arrange their timetables around the idea that children are more focused and alert in the morning, meaning maths and literacy lessons tend to be held early in the day.
Katharina Wulff, an Oxford University research lecturer who specialises in sleep, said: "Results were surprising in two ways - first, that children slept longer after the clock change; secondly, their reaction time was faster in the afternoon than in the morning.
"The investigation provides a great example of how schoolchildren can get directly involved in research, proving perceived public wisdom wrong."
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
Pay to Scale
Location free text
Hyde
Job Type
Permanent
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
Greater Manchester
Description
Primary Teacher / SEN Teaching Assistant / Support Staff Supply & Long-Term Roles AvailableKeywords: Primary Teacher, SEN Teaching Assistant, Learning Support Assistant, SEMH, School Support Staff, Hy
Reference
SK14 5LX - CDT2306
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
Pay to Scale
Location free text
Hyde
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
Greater Manchester
Description
Primary Teacher / SEN Teaching Assistant / Support Staff Supply & Long-Term Roles AvailableKeywords: Primary Teacher, SEN Teaching Assistant, Learning Support Assistant, SEMH, School Support Staff, Hy
Reference
SK12 6BB - CDT2306
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Nottingham
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Nottingham
Description
Primary Tutor – NG1, Nottingham Location: Nottingham (NG1) Pay: £25–£30 per hour Schedule: Monday to Friday, during school hours Contract: Part-TimeInspire Young Learners and Make a Difference TP Tu
Reference
23/6PriTutor-NG1
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
£93 - 110 per day
Location free text
Milton Keynes
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Milton Keynes
Description
Job Title: Support Worker / Teaching AssistantLocation: Milton Keynes (Various sites available)Contract Type: Full-time and Part-time roles availableAbout the RoleWe are seeking a compassionate and de
Reference
45785- MK
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Northants & Counties SENAuthor
Northants & Counties SENSalary
£14.25 - 16.00 per hour + Free CPD
Location free text
Wirral
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Wirral
Description
Join Our Bank of Level 2 & Level 3 Teaching Assistants - Teaching Personnel Primary Schools & Nursery Early Years Settings Across a Multi Academy Trust on The Wirral Are you a qualified Level 2 or
Reference
TPPFE0R9EBSE
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Liverpool Primary
Author
Liverpool PrimarySalary
£20 - 29 per hour
Location free text
Northampton
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Northampton
Description
1:1 Tutor (Home & School-Based) – Northampton Area Location: Northampton and surrounding areas Hours: School hours (typically 9:00am – 3:30pm) Contract Type: Flexible, Part-Time and Full-Time Opportu
Reference
S387/Northampton
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Central TuitionAuthor
Central TuitionSalary
£120 - 160 per day
Location free text
Tamworth
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Primary
Location
Staffordshire
Description
Primary Teacher – Tamworth, StaffordshireJob Title: Primary Teacher Location: Tamworth, Staffordshire Salary: Pay to scale (depending on level of experience) Contract: Full-time / Part-timeWe have imm
Reference
PRIT - PHMAT6
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£120 - 160 per day
Location free text
Rugeley
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Primary
Location
Staffordshire
Description
Primary Teacher – Rugeley, StaffordshireJob Title: Primary Teacher Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire Salary: Pay to scale (depending on level of experience) Contract: Full-time / Part-timeWe have immed
Reference
PRIT - PHMAT5
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£120 - 160 per day
Location free text
Dudley
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Primary
Location
West Midlands
Description
Primary Teacher – DudleyJob Title: Primary Teacher Location: Dudley, West Midlands Salary: Pay to scale (depending on level of experience) Contract: Full-time / Part-timeWe have immediate opportunitie
Reference
PRIT - PHMAT4
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£95 - 120 per day + benefits
Location free text
Maidstone
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Maidstone
Description
Primary Teaching Assistant – Rural Maidstone, KentLong-term opportunity | Temp to Perm potential | Monday–Friday, 8:30am–3:30pmTeaching Personnel are currently seeking a caring, enthusiastic and dedic
Reference
MH-PRI TA-3
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Branch SecondaryAuthor
Branch SecondaryRelated posts
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
Exams are one of the most stressful times in the academic year, and it isn’t only pupils who feel the pressure. For teaching assistants (TAs) and support staff, exam season brings new expectations
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
If you’re considering taking the next step in education, you’re not alone. More teachers and support staff are exploring permanent roles that offer stability, progression, and a sense of belonging
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
As Teaching Personnel marks 30 years, Danielle shares her experience of building a career with the company over the past 11 years. She's completed an apprenticeship, managed a branch and w
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
Patrick highlights a decade of his work as Teaching Personnel celebrates a milestone of 10 years.He's built relationships with schools and his own management style to successfully run a branch
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
As Teaching Personnel celebrates 30 years, we hear from Senior Branch Manager, Hannah James, who reflects on her time with us these past 11 years. The impact we have on our schools and educat
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
As Teaching Personnel marks 30 years, Vicky shares her experience of building a career with the company over the past 11 years.She joined as a trainee recruitment consultant and has become an
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
As we celebrate 30 years of making difference, get to know Rebecca who has worked at Teaching Personnel for nearly a decade. Being able to support schools and help place the right educators
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
As Teaching Personnel celebrates its 30-year anniversary, Jenny reflects on a decade of working at Teaching Personnel.From starting as a teaching assistant to overseeing multiple branches, her
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
Gemma joined the Future Teachers Programme shortly after graduating. Now in a permanent teaching position, she reflects on how the programme shaped her classroom experience and supp
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
Discover Ben Whittle’s role and find out about his impact within the Future Teachers Programme Read more How long have you been with Teaching Personnel and where are
Register with us
for work in schools across England & Wales
Register today
Recent job