A new study suggests that teenagers get only four hours of sleep a night and as a result of that their school performance is suffering. So pupils are offered sleep lessons. (Read more on the role of sleep in learning) Poor sleep impacts health in many ways from ill health to behavioural problems. Sleep is very important to maintain many normal skills such as speech, memory, innovative and flexible thinking. Lack of sleep is said to have contributed to a number of disasters such as Chernobyl and Exxon Valdez. Not enough of sleep has a huge impact on emotional and physical well being including stress, depression, blood pressure, weight problems, diabetes, and risk of heart disease. Also studies suggest that when you lack sleep you’re more likely to make bad decisions. Read more about the importance of napping.
Be smart – start school at 10am
For all sleepy teenagers it could be the perfect excuse. One school thought it’s taking this seriously. At Monkseaton school, a Tyneside comprehensive lessons will start now at 10am rather than 9am. This project is overseen by three scientists including an Oxfrord neuro-science professor. The results look promising: lateness has dropped 8%, long-term absence 27% and GCSE results i maths and English in January are significantly improved compared to the last year. So it looks that starting the school later is good for teenagers’ unusual body clocks with the good results to follow. Read the full story