Helene is favourite

A TYNESIDE comprehensive is to teach all GCSE subjects in eight-minute sessions.

The mini-lessons will be held at Monkseaton comprehensive high school and will be broken up for sport.

It is thought that the technique will help the memory develop and is based on neuroscience research.

A pilot scheme at the school had improved results by an average of half a grade for science pupils.

Critics have rubbished the idea saying it is nothing more than a “fad”. But it seems like a good idea to me, who can forget having to sit through double lessons for school.

A lesson would last for 40 minutes, and a double 120 minutes.

Forty minutes would be about bearable, however I can remember sitting through a a class for well over an hour, without a break, and can recall my mind used to wander.

I would think about what I was doing that evening, what was on telly etc.

It is almost impossible to keep your concentration for that amount of time.

I remember it was worse in the Summer, when the classroom got warm.

So I agree with the principal of what this school is doing, although I think eight minutes is too short.

Perhaps 20 minutes would be sufficient, that would be enough time to teach a number of points and would be a sufficient amount of time to keep children’s attention.

Meanwhile, I have been gripped, as always, to the Apprentice. This week will be the eighth episode, and I think Helene looks like one of the favourites.