Recess (break) - International Recess

International Recess

In the United Kingdom and Ireland, high school students traditionally do not have 'free periods' but do have 'break' which normally occurs just after their second lesson of the day (normally referred to as second period). This generally lasts for around 20 minutes. During break, snacks are usually sold in the school's canteen and students normally use this time to socialize or finish off any homework or schoolwork that needs to be finished. Once break is finished, students go to their next classroom. Lunchtime commences one or two lessons later and usually lasts around 50–60 minutes. This system is more or less the same in junior schools in the UK and Ireland, but infant schools will normally add another breaktime towards the end of the day. Another difference in junior and infant schools, compared to high schools, is the use of play equipment (such as hula hoop, skipping rope, balls, etc.) available to play with, opposed to a full playground (with climbing walls, swings, slides, jungle gym, etc.)

In Australia and New Zealand, generally in public schools "recess" occurs as a break between morning and mid-morning classes. It is followed after mid-morning classes by a more lengthy break, lunchtime. Thus, the structure of the school-day consists of three lesson blocks, broken up by two intervals: recess and lunch respectively.There must be at least an hours worth of "recess" or "free period" a week. In Queensland, the short morning break is generally referred to as "first break" and the longer lunchtime break as "second break", it may vary between trends at different schools, but is majorly the same.

The difference in the overall length of US and Japanese school days is due almost entirely to the increased amount of time Japanese schoolchildren spend in recess.

Celebrated the third Thursday in June each year is Recess At Work Day. While the effect of play on children has been studied it has been noted that adults lose their creativity, imagination, and ability to innovate as they get older and spend less time in social settings with the opportunity to have a recess of sorts. The Founder of Recess At Work Day suggests all organizations take some time off on this day to play or use it as an opportunity for a dose of fun learning, training or staff development. In addition the Founder hopes that as adults see the benefits of taking a break there will be a return of Recess in schools.