Do you WANT longer school days and shorter school holidays?

[shadowlily]

YABU- yes I want schools to have longer school days and shorter holidays

YANBU- no I'd rather keep the hours/terms we have.

I keep seeing this is being discussed in the media today, do you think it's likely to happen? Personally I think kids would benefit more from the summer holiday and being able to catch up on the activities they've missed and socialisation with friends. They've been home schooled to keep up with the curriculum (for the most part! I know this might be a contentious statement for some!) but nothing has replaced the play dates, day trips, parties etc. they have missed.

What do you think?

[Findahouse21]

I think they should start again with the school arrangements. 6 terms of equal length, seperated by 1-2 weeks of holiday. Work out what teachers are paid now and then change it to reflect that it's a full time job.

[ArosAdraDrosDolig]

Nope, I don’t.

[steppemum]

YANBU

I want ot go away, and have summer parties and go and vsit relatives.
I do NOT want anything to do with school over the summer.

My kids travel and work hard, they don't need longer days, that just makes them more stressed

[steppemum]

@Findahouse21

I think they should start again with the school arrangements. 6 terms of equal length, seperated by 1-2 weeks of holiday. Work out what teachers are paid now and then change it to reflect that it's a full time job.

I would really, relaly hate this.
Both as an ex teacher and as a parent

[AlexaShutUp]

I'm open to the idea of different term/holiday dates, but I don't want longer days/shorter holidays. Kids and teachers need time to relax and unwind.

[stuckinatrap]

@Findahouse21

I think they should start again with the school arrangements. 6 terms of equal length, seperated by 1-2 weeks of holiday. Work out what teachers are paid now and then change it to reflect that it's a full time job.

You do have to factor in wider issues such as the holiday industry that relies on long summer holidays - plus the fact that if everyone has to take their holidays in the same two weeks, businesses would grind to a halt like they do at Christmas.

[Hollyhead]

Longer school day definitely although not all taught - I would take PE out of the school teaching day and have PE for all children 3.30-4.30pm most days a week. Doesn’t all have to be delivered by a qualified teacher - just responsible adults who can get them running around and moving.

[Waxonwaxoff0]

No I do not, and I'm a single working parent so it would actually probably make my life easier regarding childcare. I do not think it is in my 7 year old's best interests to have a longer school day and shorter holidays.

[SpnBaby1967]

I dont want it, I feel the kids needs the summer holidays to go and see all the friends they have previously been banned from seeing.

Plus, my kids are always knackered after a 6 hour school day. Then again, my french niece in high school has very long days. Bus at 7am, home by 5PM. But they also have more breaks.

[stuckinatrap]

Longer school days would have a knock-on to extra curricular activities such as scouts, gymnastics, dance, football, music lessons... that are chosen by children according to their interests. School-provided activities to lengthen the school day would limit choice.

[Peanutbutterandbananatoastie]

Longer school days maybe, but that would have to be with more staff or substantial raises for teachers and support staff, also the kids would have to have more breaks and more arts/sports/creative study as in Finland. Leave holidays the same.

Or possibly same hours less holiday. If you want mothers to have better employment options and better paying jobs, I think longer hours would be most helpful.

[MissBPotter]

No definitely not. There’s a good reason that schools in most countries that I know of have summers off. To enjoy them with family and friends first off and secondly, schools are not at all well designed for hot days. I’ve never worked at a school with air con and many windows barely open. Often there are no blinds, or insufficient blinds/curtains and often uniforms (esp secondary) are hot and stuffy. Teaching in a boiling hot room with minimal ventilation with sweaty kids who are likely sunburnt as well, is not much fun, for them or us! There is nothing enjoyable about being at school in the summer.

I also like having other festivals like Easter and Christmas off personally.

[MoreHairyThanScary]

No it is difficult enough to arrange family holidays for my staff in the holidays ( healthcare so not able to close ) . How the hell I am I supposed to grant leave to staff who are parents ?

Notwithstanding the cost of those holidays if travel is limited to even fewer weeks in the summer.

[SimonJT]

I wouldn’t want longer days at primary, school days are long enough for my five year old. Longer days at KS4 however would likely be a good idea, the curriculum keeps expanding (especially in subjects such as science) yet teachers and children aren’t given adequate time for all material to be appropriately covered.

[happytoday73]

I'd only really want a longer day if meant doing more non academic items... Trying out different sports, dance, drama, forest school, school trips, cycling lessons and alike, swimming lessons... (especially for those non swimmers that missed out on school lessons).

Same for summer holidays... If they did a push around inexpensive childcare that did non academic element I think many kids would thrive...
Not all kids need this as many parents will fill the gaps.. However for others through school is their only option to try new sports, learn to swim, learn to cycle safely...

[BrumBoo]

@Findahouse21

I think they should start again with the school arrangements. 6 terms of equal length, seperated by 1-2 weeks of holiday. Work out what teachers are paid now and then change it to reflect that it's a full time job.

I assume you mean to pay teachers more? Because I can assure you, it currently works out as a 'full time job'. Some idiots think that teaching means that you get the same time off as the kids, both hilarious and ridiculous.

[SippingSipsmith]

I'd be up for it. My DT are 8. I think as long as the learning isn't hot housing and learning through play and socialising I think it would be a good thing. We are still limited slightly on what we can do because of distancing. There's still a lot I wouldn't be comfortable doing when things are allowed.

I think school is relatively covid secure.

I think it would really help my mental health and ability to parent to have some sort of provision during the summer but it would have to be learning through play and lots of topic work. I wouldn't agree with them sitting still doing lots of English and Maths

[SimonJT]

@Hollyhead

Longer school day definitely although not all taught - I would take PE out of the school teaching day and have PE for all children 3.30-4.30pm most days a week. Doesn’t all have to be delivered by a qualified teacher - just responsible adults who can get them running around and moving.

Who would teach PE theory? What abour students studying GCSE PE?

[OverTheRainbow88]

Nope and nope

[IShouldProbablyHooverMore]

No, I'm happy as is, thanks.

[steppemum]

the whole shape of 6 terms and 1-2 week holidays doesn't factor in that 1-2 weeks in Feb is crap compared to 1-2 weeks in July.

Nor does it factor in that the whole country will then be trying to go on holiday in the 1-2 weeks in July/August as weather is good, and they can't afford to fly long haul in October.

or the fact that most teachers spend first few days of eveyr holiday sorting out etc the stuff from the last term, and the last few days of every holiday preparing for the next.

If we were to change the system, we could go for what The Netherlands does, which is to stagger school holidays, so the North Province has holidays from mid June-mid August and the most Southern has a holiday from mid July to mid sept. They rotate so they take turns in when the holidays are.

[Adrastia]

@Hollyhead

Longer school day definitely although not all taught - I would take PE out of the school teaching day and have PE for all children 3.30-4.30pm most days a week. Doesn’t all have to be delivered by a qualified teacher - just responsible adults who can get them running around and moving.

Where would this happen? Most settings don’t have space for proper PE to take place for all classes at once.
We have to stagger our break times due to lack of space so this just wouldn’t be feasible.

[Ilovemaisie]

Longer school days only if the afternoon stuff is non academic and not compulsory. Infact I would like the school day to start about 8 am rather than 9 and finish about 2. Then those that do need some extra academic help could have extra lessons after school but still be home by say 4pm and still have time to do activities like Guides or scouts. More extra curricular activities could be offered (but not compulsory). After-school care should be free at primary age. All secondary schools stay open until about 5 pm so those that wish to do homework at school can.
As for holidays. I like the system we have. I wouldn't want a shorter summer holiday. I also don't like it when different parts of the country have their holiday dates at different times. It's really annoying because it means families often can't get together during the school holidays (and God forbid they ask for term time off so a family can actually spend time together). Infact I know people who have children in different schools who have different half term dates. Ridiculous !!
(Also burn all uniforms, completely scrap SATS and bring back coursework for GCSE....)

[ilovesooty]

@Hollyhead

Longer school day definitely although not all taught - I would take PE out of the school teaching day and have PE for all children 3.30-4.30pm most days a week. Doesn’t all have to be delivered by a qualified teacher - just responsible adults who can get them running around and moving.

That does rather devalue PE training and skills.