To think the schools break up far too late?

[justnotaballetmum]

They do, don't they?

It is nearly the end of July. The best weather (ha, I know, but stay with me!) has gone. It's practically August by the time they are released and distinctly autumnal.

Wouldn't it be better to break up start of July and give them a couple of extra weeks?

*children being sent into school ill.

No, too late. I'm a working lp and have got six weeks of fighting, mess and £££ on childcare ahead of me, I don't get any down time until second week of sept now. Four weeks would be plenty for my dc's.

I think a 4 week break twice a year or something would sort the problem out.

Or even 3 lots of 3 weeks breaks.

There must be a better way of doing it!

Property, you have childcare in place so I don't honestly see what the problem is? :)

If you mean financial support for other families perhaps, not yourself, fair enough, but that's another discussion maybe?

Raegal, this is MN- aren't you supposed to be claiming your child will be hospitalised with an oxygen mask if he has to wear a school uniform after June?

Seriously though, that sounds crap but hot days happen whenever in this country (in fact we often have a lovely April and rubbish July- my birthday is April so I notice) so you can't expect the children of the UKs schooling to be based around unusual circumstances like yours can you?

Justnotaballetmum- property is just saying millions of people aren't in her position so what about them?

My problem is that schools assume they come back rested and mine always return cranky. One Ds is very academic and non sporty. Most summer clubs are sporty and he loathes them. I would also love to take a 2wk holiday in the summer with my children. I think they'd benefit massively. I know many other parents feel the same but are limited to 1wk together due to annual leave covering the rest. I also have the problem of what to do if they're ill when our annual leave is taken up entirely with covering the holidays.
I think if every family had both parents working and no help from GPs then the government would look at things pretty sharpish. They would need to.

And who cares if they get hot? That's life.

what a ridiculous argument. Would you say the same about child labour? Earn your food, that's life? I do care about the quality of life of my children, and I do believe that they do need a longer summer break. There are no health issue about sitting in a classroom when it's 30 degrees outside, it's just pointless. I think a longer break is also needed for secondary schools, when they are older they can start having summer job, as important as school, and they need a real holiday too.

When I planned the financial cost of having children, I planned for the school holidays, all 13 or so weeks of them. I would have loved to have a much bigger family ,just couldn't afford it. 6 weeks break is most definitively not enough.

I refuse for my kids to suffer because Dontyoulovecalpol needs help to be more organised in her hectic lifestyle. Some of us work half the night to give their kids an enjoyable summer holiday. That's what being a parent means.

Agreed just got back from northern irland and my nephew has been off for two weeks already

Yes, just because the cost isn't a problem for me and that I could financially give up work doesn't negate the very real issue that's constantly causing major headaches for thousands of parents countrywide.

This is a massive issue bubbling just under the surface.

Shark- that is the most ridiculous post I've read, and that's saying something. Because being inside in 30 degree heat is the same as child labour what do you think children who live in hot countries do?

What childcare do you use in the summer holidays then shark? Maybe you can help

Mine break up this Friday. Last summer we broke up earlier and by this time we were halfway through a week in Cornwall. By this point the ones in my class are exhausted and quite unable to do much, which defeats the point of being at school.

If I controlled term times I'd be inclined to have a maximum length of any term set at 6 or 7 weeks. This is week 8 at my school and it's been a challenging week for adults and children because everyone is just so fed up.

Good for you shark

Unfortunately I must be a terrible parent because my DC are in summer camp for weeks and weeks and weeks because we broke up in June and I get 15 days leave (that's both time off and sick leave), so no, big summer holiday together ain't happening here

6 weeks is so so little, it honestly goes by in a flash. It's the last day of school for both my DCs today and this morning we saw a back to school poster on our way there. DD wasn't pleased at all. I think they should get at least 9/10 weeks. Childcare would be a hassle and I'm personally thankful that it's only 6 weeks but that shouldn't be taken into consideration.

shark did you read my post because you still haven't answered my question. I can financially afford cover got the holidays. Easily. That's not a problem for me at all.

What planning should I have done to ensure that 5wks annual leave for a standard job could cover 13wks off school? Holiday clubs do not run for even the entire summer let alone the other holidays. Plus it would really be nice for families like mine and thousands of others to manage more than just 1wk a year together. Just to be clear, I can afford more than 1wk but having a normal job with normal annual leave makes it impossible.

6 weeks is so so little, it honestly goes by in a flash.

We find the last 2 weeks of summer a complete drag, and a week for each of the half terms isn't nearly enough.

Sounds like what is needed is more and better quality holiday childcare. We have a fantastic childminder whose house is home from home but always with activities to choose from if you want to be productive. And she takes them out in all weathers. Not expensive, either. If there was someone like her on ever street corner...

I think the summer holidays are too long. My family are all ready to strangle each other at the end of six weeks . This sort of op annoys me no end, not a single thought given to people having to magic up childcare out of nowhere. More and more parents are working longer hours as the cost of living increases. For the privileged few to trill about how lovely it is to have their darlings around for even longer gets right on my wick.

Ha ha, exactly don'tyoulovecalpol. Try going to school in the ME, as I did, now that was hot! And we didn't have a/c in the classrooms until I was well into high school.

Back to school posters? What on earth has that got to do with anything? I can't stand seeing Christmas stuff in the shops from September and Easter stuff from just after Christmas, but that's retail for you!

I read this on BBC news this morning, this seems to be one of the sticking points, quality affordable provision and the balance also with adequate time off for parents. I know I struggled in employed work hugely as being part of a small team with two other parents and one single girl. I was very lucky to be able to become a freelancer but it still isnt easy as I do have a business to run.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-36836958

All the back to school stuff in Aldi has already gone! And they haven't even broken up yet!

No one has an answer property. They think we're too daft and disorganised to sort it out but they can't help either......

We both know the only answer on this thread is become a SAHM anyway.

In the US the schools get out in early June, or even late May in the south. Traditionally schools re-start after Labor Day, which is the first Monday in Sept, but these days some do start in late August. It's basically a full three month break. But they only get a 4-day weekend at Thanksgiving, 7-10 days at Christmas, a week around Easter, and a few other scattered bank holidays that provide 3-day weekends.

I am a SAHM so childcare isn't a problem but let me tell you, it is a LOOOOOOONG summer. There are better camps and activities than there are here in the UK, but it's still too long. Studies have shown that kids really do backslide a lot academically with such a long break. I used to be a teacher and I definitely experienced that. I can also tell you that the winding down period is just as long as it is here -- it just starts earlier.

I think the UK system is much better. The half-term and term breaks are so welcome and there's always another one in sight. The summer is long enough to do anything you could possibly want to do but not so long as to get boring or cause kids to backslide (much) academically.

I don't think it usual to find common health condition like childhood eczema are exacerbate by heat. Even my other two children aren't in a mood to learn with this heat.

I'm not saying I expect the world to revolve round my children - I'm saying I'm one of many with problems with current arrangement.

There are many other problems with it as well.

I don't see why rather than put up with it other options can't be looked at and considered.

The exam hay fever issue is a one that affects many people and one I think is more important.

www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/pollen-britain-how-hay-fever-can-affect-exam-results-9559462.html

Statistics suggest that the UK is the hay fever centre of the world and some scientists are predicting that 45 per cent of the population will be suffering by 2030. ... The cohort that suffers most falls between the ages of 16-24 – which basically covers the UK’s student population. ...
In terms of exam performance the top line statistics from Education For Health, based on extensive research, hard evidence and robust samples, are rather mind boggling:

51 per cent of students report hay fever symptoms during exams
Hay fever sufferers are 40 per cent more likely to drop a grade from mocks in January to summer ... The real problem for hay fever sufferers is the exam structure. Exam boards are prepared to award an extra two per cent for students with hay fever. However if exams were moved to January and February those with hay fever wouldn't be affected. It should come as no surprise that many students who re-sit exams in those months improve their performance. Those better grades are not just about more time or softer papers.

Applying to Universities without on prospective grades is another.

Childcare costs for many problems yet another.

I'm think rather than people saying "Well I'm alright and my kids fine" - I'd prefer a well there are issues are their any better solutions out there or at least an understanding just because you are fine and happy not everyone else is.