Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe PETERBOROUGH, England, May 7 (UPI) -- A new school in Peterborough, England, will not give its students break time or a playground to enjoy due to the headmaster's strict guidelines. Thomas Deacon city academy headmaster Alan McMurdo has no plans to allow future students a recess from their studies and has not added a playground to the school's facilities as he deems them a hindrance to learning, The Times of London said Monday. Advertisement McMurdo instead will have his students embrace learning virtually nonstop during their school day, except for a half-hour break for lunch. "I want the teachers teaching and the children learning at the school," he said. "If children are enjoying lessons, then there will be no need to go and run off steam outside." McMurdo's decision has been criticized by others in the educational field that view recess and play a necessary part of a child's scholastic life. "Being outside and able to exercise is an essential part of the school day," said Clarissa Williams, who heads up a London school.
