Let boys and girls go out to play

Debbie Chalmers' In My View ('Don't extend the school day', 24 June) looked promising, but as I read it I was increasingly shocked and dismayed. Surely the reason that children should not be encouraged to stay in school all day is that they need time to play. We are mistaken in thinking that filling our children's every waking moment with activities or extra lessons is doing them good. Research tells us that children do not benefit from being reared in captivity - a balance and sensitivity to their needs is required.