School should start slightly later around 9.30-45

• Research has shown that due to teenagers natural sleep schedules and there need for at least 8 hours sleep as well as the secretion of the sleep hormone melatonin (which naturally on average continues until around 8am, which means they are sleepy until this stops), therefore School start time should be slightly later to co-ordinate with Teenagers natural sleep schedule
• This would increase the quality of sleep of teenagers which would have a range of positive impacts and help reduce many negative effects of sleep deprivation such as increased occurrence of mental health problems and substance abuse
• This would allow teenagers to focus better in the morning and thus help to increase learning and reduce school missed due to bad punctuality
• However, although the school start time should be pushed back by around 30 minutes to 45 minutes it should not be pushed back by hours as there should be enough time after school for extra-curricular and leisure activities
• However, in cases of schools with poor transport links and very large catchment zones, later school start times should be considered to allow students to get enough sleep (as there transport time to school must be factored in)

9am could be the most sensible ‘one size fits all’ start time, but it certainly doesn’t make sense for many students.

• As francesca24601 has already mentioned, it is very difficult to get enough sleep as a teenager. Research suggests that the 9am start time suits the body clock of students around ten, but definitely not 16-18-year-olds.. It is also difficult for students with high workloads to get enough sleep, as many people opt to reclaim leisure time by staying up, a phenomenon known as ‘revenge bedtime procrastination.’

• On the plus side, a 9am start time works well with the 9-5 working week of parents. Parents can start work around the same time or shortly after. Students also get used to the 9-5 working week which they are likely to take on after completing their education.

• However, perhaps both school and work hours should be changed. Studies show that the working day is designed for the body clock of bosses, who are often in their fifties, which does not suit the natural sleep pattern of younger employees. A more flexible approach to working hours could hugely benefit everyone and boost productivity.

As a one size fits all approach, perhaps starting school at 9am is the best idea, as it does still suit the sleeping pattern of some children, and does fit reasonably well with the working week. That being said, perhaps the 9-5 model as a whole should be reviewed…