Sleep-in teens are right: school starts too early

The findings arose from a deeper understanding of the body clock, where changes during adolescence meant teens needed more sleep and went to bed later. Photo / Getty Images

Grumpy teenagers who don't want to get out of bed have had their complaints vindicated by scientists who analysed 30 years of sleep science.

Researchers have confirmed the optimum school start times for students should be later as they get older: 8.30am or later at age 10; 10am or later at 16; and 11am or later at 18.

Their conclusions mirror findings from a study at a New Zealand college which found teens were more likely to be alert and in a better mood if they started later. However, it seems unlikely other schools will follow suit, despite the benefits.

"It would be disruptive to shift the system but if done properly, I don't see any reason why it won't work," said University of Auckland insomnia expert Tony Fernando.

"Fewer students will be sleeping in their classes. It's the same message that sleep specialists have been talking about for ages."

The study was prompted by a tweet from the US Secretary of State for Education in 2013, which said: "Let teens sleep, start school later."

Drawing on the latest sleep research as well as education, medical and neuroscience studies, researchers from the University of Oxford, Harvard Medical School and the University of Nevada found school and university start times were damaging the learning and health of students.

The findings arose from a deeper understanding of the body clock, where changes during adolescence meant teens needed more sleep and went to bed later.

"Thus, a 7am alarm call for older adolescents is the equivalent of a 4.30am start for a teacher in their 50s," the study said.

"Failure to adjust education timetables to this biological change leads to systematic, chronic and unrecoverable sleep loss."

At least one New Zealand school, Wellington High, has made changes based on sleep research, and has a start time of 10.15am for senior students. They don't have as many breaks, and still finish at 3.20pm.

Dr Fernando said in other countries schools had made changes such as devoting the first two periods to sport. "Once students are more awake, they do the thinking subjects," he said.

Secondary Principals' Association head Sandy Pasley said while the research was interesting, it would be difficult for schools with mixed ages.

Transport had to be considered, and the effect on after-school activities such as sport. It was also important to prepare students for the future, she said.

"What we're hoping to do is get students ready for work and life after school, and part of that is learning what the working hours are and getting up and getting ready," she said.

New Zealand Union of Students Association president Rory McCourt said some universities had shifted classes later to ensure students turned up, but he didn't think that was a response to sleep research.

"It's more about dealing with congestion issues, travel and childcare."

Mr McCourt thought taking note of the study was a good idea. "Lots of employers are looking at flexible start times. If you want students to aspire to be people where they get to call the shots, it might be something to get used to," he said.

The Education Act requires schools to have two hours' instruction or more before and after midday. A board may also apply to the Education Minister for a variation to the hours if it can show that parents, staff and the community have been consulted and agree, and that students won't spend less time in school.

Teen sleeping tips

• Restrict the use of gadgets such as cellphones at night.

• More exposure to sunlight in the morning can help with sleepiness.

• In some cases, melatonin can be prescribed by a doctor.