A Hertfordshire councillor says he wants to see schools stay open for an extra half-an-hour hour every day to help children catch up in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Bushey Liberal Democrat councillor Laurance Brass believes ending school at 3pm is "too early" and says extending the school day would make "such a difference".

He was speaking at a meeting of Hertfordshire County Council's overview and scrutiny committee on December 9 which included a review of the the county's educational recovery.

Having already raised the idea at previous council meetings, Cllr Brass echoed concerns some children may have fallen behind as a result of learning from home over the pandemic.

Speaking on Thursday, he said: "Give them another half an hour [in school]. All these hours and days people have been taken off because of Covid…extend the school day. Three o’clock is early."

Cllr Brass added: "I notice in Bushey they are all disappearing at three o’clock...but the independent schools across the road are just starting their afternoon’s work.

"Can’t we find the resources to extend the school day, even by just 30 minutes? It would make such a difference."

Borehamwood Times: Hertfordshire county councillor Laurence Brass, pictured left, alongside Hertsmere Lib Dem councillor Jerry Evans at an election count in Radlett in MayHertfordshire county councillor Laurence Brass, pictured left, alongside Hertsmere Lib Dem councillor Jerry Evans at an election count in Radlett in May

Rachel Macfarlane, the director of education at Herts for Learning, told Cllr Brass it was up to schools to determine the length of the school day.

This was echoed by the council's education operations director Simon Newland, who suggested Cllr Brass discuss his idea with local schools.

Meanwhile, Herts for Learning has been drawing up packages of support for Hertfordshire schools to readjust to the classroom and catch up on lost learning time.