Summer holidays should be longer

So you never do a more relaxed lesson?
Like watch a film version of the book/play you are studying.
Play a game of Countdown?
Spelling Bee?
Word searches?
Hangman?

English.

I'm not paid to deliver "fun". I'm paid to teach students my subject.

Maybe an option could be for those who want to sit at a desk doing worksheets could choose that for the week.
"Playtime" doesn't just mean running around the playground though.
Children could do board games. Make jewellery. Experiment with Lego.
Which could still be done sat at desks in a classroom environment.

A bit of variation is nice though.
Surely you can find a more "fun" activity that could be done than just academic work.
What's your subject?

Interestingly when the idea of shortening the summer holidays was discussed in Finland the Parents' Union (which I didn't know existed but now I kinda want to join) was against it even though they are the ones that have to deal with childcare issues (which isn't available at all outside of the major cities), because they feel it's so important for children to have a proper break from school, even though it disadvantages them.

As regards to the learning loss over the summer, one year it was so bad with DD that she actually forgot how to write the letter G (she was 11!) But they get back up to speed quickly once school starts again because they always start the year with review work - so its a problem but it has a solution that works.

I would have hated that. I’m autistic and I loved the structure of the lessons. I thrived by sitting at a desk learning. I hated playtime with a passion. So doing weird play days at school all day I don’t think I would have coped. I know this isn’t the same for everyone. But this is the problem. How do you make school work for each child? You can’t unfortunately.

I trained to teach my subject, not to be a play worker.

OP, you only need to read the endless threads on here to see that many grandparents refuse to provide childcare because they prioritise their social life and going on holidays and England is neither France nor Spain or Italy in terms of family relationships. It's lovely to read how other countries and LAs organise childcare for working parents.

I really can't see the point of having half terms. It takes children time to settle in school and get a routine each school year and then after only 6 weeks let's interrupt it. Especially in February the weather is bad and you can't do any outdoor activities. And of course schools don't treat half terms as holidays! Children are given endless homework and are expected to study for GCSEs, A-levels, mocks etc. And teachers end up using them for marking so they are not actually holidays for them either.

What I sometimes think we need is selected weeks in the school term where it's less academic and more relaxed.
Like a play scheme style week but part of the school term.
This will give children a rest and break but they are still at school.

But kids need and deserve longer off than that.

They don't.

Research into "summer learning loss" shows that pupils, particularly those from low-income families, often lose progress during long breaks. Some fall behind by as much as two months in reading and maths.

For parents who work full time, long holidays are difficult. Childcare becomes more expensive and harder to arrange, and not every family can afford clubs, activities or trips. For many, the break ends up feeling more stressful than restful.

Around 1.9 million children in the UK are eligible for free school meals. When schools close for the summer, many of these children miss out on regular, nutritious food. This adds another layer of pressure for families already facing financial difficulty.

While longer holidays may support mental health and give families more time together, they also risk widening the gap between wealthier and less well-off pupils.

Rather than extending the summer break, it might be better to spread holidays more evenly across the year. This could mean slightly shortening the summer and adding more regular rest periods during term time.

Don't forget more and more kids starting school in nappies!!

Bullshit. They absolutely are holidays for the teachers.

Children get bored, especially the younger ones. Older kids just end up glued to their devices or watching TV all day.

Kids need structure and something to keep them busy. And for working parents, childcare often costs more than the mortgage.

Seriously, you’re completely out of touch with reality. You’re not living in Europe — bring your brain back to the UK.

Voted YABU.

I think we should add at least an extra two weeks to the summer holidays

No, they should be shorter. For working parents, this is an absolute nightmare. No one wants this.

There, I suspect, speaks a parent who doesn't have a very autistic child! SEN kids in particular can find it extremely hard to adjust to long breaks without their school routine. My son is ok for the first two weeks, starts getting more volatile in the middle of the long break and is a total nightmare for the last two weeks! It's very hard for him (and us!!) to be away from his school and his term time routine for long periods.

Lots of children experience a measurable fall-off in learning and retention over the long break, too. Ask a teacher. Quite aside from possible safeguarding issues with those who are at significant risk at home.

In Scotland, we get 6 weeks holiday from start of July to mid August. We also get 2 weeks at October, but we don't have a May half term.
Our 'Easter' holiday is called spring break and is fixed for first the 2 weeks of April, regardless of when Easter actually falls, so this year they were back a week then had Good Fri and Easter Mon off.
6 weeks in summer is ample.
It would be impossible for most working parents to cover any more and that's a long enough break for the kids - and if the teachers can't manage with that then how on earth would they cope like those of us in the private sector do?!! I work in a pressured and stressful environment and would love a 6 week stretch in summer to recharge, and another 6-7 weeks spread through the year, but it's not 'real life'. I have to very carefully balance and juggle my 33 day allocation, which includes 7 bank hols.

Yes, it's assembly or form/life skills time. Also available for music, extra academic help etc etc

Secondary schools in Ireland have 11 weeks off.

Personally I'd like a month in the winter, although the Christmas holiday is generous, same as Easter.

The real shit part in Ireland is the childcare issue. There are government grants available for official settings, we don't have a system for at hom-minders to receive the grants.

childminders can't use of the system unlike the UK.

It is to come in soon, it'll be beneficial to low income workers as most wouldn't be subsidised fo babysitter costs, only official childcare business, more sahm's can work by doing the course, taking in children, it is all in the black market ATT.

Most clubs run from 9 until 2, useless.

I know many people who couldn't return to work for a year due to lack of childcare options, no crèche available for babies without a year waiting list minium.

My DC’s private school does have a longer lunchtime that my DC’s state school (30
mins difference). However, the school day at the private school is 1 hour and 10 mins longer in total (and DC’s state school actually has a longer day than some of the state schools around here). It’s not just about the longer lunchtimes…

Having read this whole thread i think most people are advocating for a shorter summer and longer half terms, so it won't mean teachers working any extra just gives the kids the benefit of regular, longer breaks through the year which if we're saying about children being tired this seems like a good thing.

I agree that schools/teachers shouldn't be here to fix all of society's ills but let's be honest its not just schools. I work for a housing association and if you're an SLT at a school I'm sure you've been in CIN, CP or MASH meetings with HAs. Even as landlords we are expected to help residents with their mental health, sort out their finances, engage and report to social services, safeguard, deal with domestic violence..I mean, we are just a landlord!! But sadly services are so stretched that agencies like schools and housing associations are needing to pick up the slack. And I'd rather do that, and know in good conscience I am helping than shrug and say not my problem.

Re working hours. I have friends in both primary and secondary as teachers, and undoubtedly my secondary teacher friends do more than just "school" hours but even they get a good few weeks work free. One of my friends is a head of year and head of two subjects and they go away every summer for 5 weeks, usually taking the kids in the volvo around Europe and wild camping (so not my cup of tea haha). But they aren't the only busy occupation. As I say, I work for a HA, contracted and paid for a 35 hour week but worked 14 hours yesterday as I had court prep to do. I have a least 2 days a week like that. DH is a high ranking police officer, once at Inspector level they no longer get paid overtime or earn toil as its expected at that rank to work over their contracted 40 hours. On average he works 80-90 hours a week plus a 1.5 hour commute as crime and disorder doesn't care about working hours and police are chronically short staffed.

This isn't a race to the bottom, but its disingenuous to suggest only teachers work extra hours for no benefits (other than a 6 week summer, 2 week Xmas, 2 week Easter and 3 half terms "off"). I support teachers, look back at my previous posts and you'll see this, but I begrudge the race to the bottom.

Society has issues, and schools/social landlords/youth clubs shouldn't be the ones to plug the gaps but here we are.

The problem here is, the holidays between a school year are too long. I am from EU and we only get like a week for Christmas, there is no Easter holidays, only Easter Monday off and I don't know which else you have like 2 weeks and we only get a week. But! Our summer holidays starts around 23rd of June till 1st September. We have lots to do back home as weather is great for 2 months and holidays at seaside or spa is a must. We live different life there. I am already struggling as my little one is starting school next year in UK, as I know next summer will be the last when he can enjoy freely for 2 months back home. I think children in UK don't know such entertainment we know, this why they are bored, but if you love being out instead of using your laptop whole day, the holidays are even too short. Absolutely agree. But for those who don't know the difference, I understand they think you are unreasonable.

I'm in favour of shorter but more frequent breaks. The work would be much more productive for the teacher and the students.
I teach (music) in a state school and a private school. The private school has longer holidays, but each school day is 40 minutes longer than the state school.
The state school has now decided on a two-week half term in October, but, in order to reach the prescribed contact hours, they've extended the school day. Lunch now starts at 1.20pm. Madness.