A determined school girl has challenged a top politician to reverse his plans to extend the school day.

Daisy Desousa, a 10-year-old student from Woodford Crescent, Pinner, penned a letter this week to education secretary Michael Gove taking issue with his proposal to allow state schools to choose to stay open later and introduce a shorter summer holiday for pupils.

"I think it is the most awful idea ever and so do my friends," Daisy told Mr Gove in the letter. "You will be taking my freedom away to do the things I like. I beg you to change your mind. Please write back and tell me what you think."

Mr Gove's proposals could see state schools stay open longer for nine or 10 hour days from September next year, something he believes would be 'consistent with the pressures of a modern society'.

Her mother Zoe Desousa, who works at a school supporting children with special needs, said: "After I mentioned to her what could happen, she would not stop going on about what a bad idea she thought it was.

"She yelled 'oh my God they can't do that' and kept asking me and her teachers about it. In the end I suggested that she write a letter – so she did right away."

10 year old Daisy Desousa's letter to Michael Gove
10 year old Daisy Desousa's letter to Michael Gove

The letter was sent to Westminster on February 7, and Daisy has since begun checking the post every day after school, but is yet to receive a response from Mr Gove.

The education sectary has said that by extending the school day, it would allow for activities such as school plays, sports clubs, and orchestras to take place within the education structure, opportunities which he believes pupils may not always get outside of school hours.

But in the latter Daisy says that she already has a packed and varied schedule, including playing sports and going to the library outside of school hours.

Daisy added in the letter: "If you make the school day longer, I wont be able to do these things. Children will need dinner, a bath and then bed, ready for another long day.

"Surely you understand spending time with family and friends is important."

The letter will be printed in full in next week's Harrow Observer - look out for it.