Sir, - We are parents of children at Easingwold School, a rural comprehensive and a very fine school, a designated language college which has provided an excellent education for our children, and whose students are by and large a credit to their families and communities.

So it is with great regret that we feel compelled to draw attention to a change in its school day which is, we feel, being brought in despite the views of many parents, expressed in writing and at an open meeting.

The school governors were, on April 10, asked to approve a shortening of the school day by 30 minutes. This may seem trivial, but the effect will be to cut the lunch period to the point where in our view it will be difficult for students who take lunchtime extra activities to fit those in if they also want lunch.

These activities can't be moved to the end of school, since up to half the students are dependent on a bus service to take them home.

There are also concerns about the effect of an extra half hour of "down time", and linkage with siblings at primary schools.

The school cites behaviour issues caused by long lunchtimes as one of the reasons for this change. Our concern is that by taking this step, they will undermine those children who are most engaged and most open to the positive influences that extra lunchtime activities provide.

We hope the school will think again.

HELEN & ROLAND CROOKE, HELEN SYKES & PETER ABNETT, GILL & KEITH BURNS, PETER WATSON, FIONA HOWELL