To think we should do away entirely with school holidays?

[SkaPunkPrincess]

Just musing and wondering why we don't just do away with them entirely?

Run schools like a regular workplace in that they operate 52 weeks of the year, Teachers and students to get 4 weeks allocated holiday allowance per year and parents can use this at their discretion. Staff would be able to be more flexible and they would have more time in the year to teach children at a more realistic pace?

Am I missing why this isn't a genius idea?

Well you said people didn't want to see their child because they were suggesting a different pattern to schooling, so what exactly did you mean then?

BlueSapp

(and teachers haven't a clue what poor actually means)

HAHAHAHAHAHA. Not all teachers come from families with spare cash.

so the poor teachers don't have to give up their holidays

Your true colours are showing.

FYI
The "divide and conquer" approach is probably what the OP wants.

OP, I don't think it's a bad idea, it just needs some imagination.

Obviously it needs funding, and I'd go for 6 weeks rather than 4.

People bleating about preserving childhood and idyllic childhoods don't see that the horse has already bolted for vast numbers of children on that count. Many holiday playschemes are poor quality and kids are in them day after day.

My view may be skewed by my DC having had a school year where he's learnt nothing much really, for various reasons, not really the school's fault, just the way we approach education in this country.

Incidentally, OP, the vast majority of workers in the UK are entitled to 5.6 weeks’ holiday a year, sometimes including bank holidays. Most employers offer more, usually as an accrued benefit for length of service.

Is there particular reason why you feel that children and teachers deserve less than this in your model?

OohMavis you are very rude suggesting because people have to work they don't want top see their child(ren)

I'd love for you to point out where exactly I said that

It would be too hard to ensure everyone had a consistent education if people are missing out on different bits! It seems workplaces are maybe moving forward in making it easier; I can work just term times and the wage is paid still over 12 equal payments so, for example, you also get paid in august despite not being in the office at all.

BlueSapp

silly analogy!

So those parents that allow their children to go on paint-balling and go-karting days don't exist.

There are plenty around here that do all day events, and the analogy fits.

I don't think paying teachers for the extra weeks will be much of a problem, as I think over 50% of them would just leave.

OohMavis Mon 28-May-18 12:43:52
"So I've had this great idea. Why don't we make school an every week of the year thing and save ourselves loadsa money in childcare? We'll barely have to see the fuckers until they're 18

^^ there

My view may be skewed by my DC having had a school year where he's learnt nothing much really, for various reasons, not really the school's fault, just the way we approach education in this country.

Which problems with the UK education system do you think would be solved by reducing holidays and lengthening school days? Because even the "better" education systems around the world haven't done that.

And no I wouldn't have my primary school child unsupervised at paint-balling thanks!

Teachers get paid well around here, they are not on the bread line, it has nothing to do with family money.

If schools ran 12 months a year, teachers would have to be paid more and schools cannot afford this. Their comparatively low salaries are currently justified by the long school holidays. I mean even headteacher pay is only 60k and these guys are the equivalent to COOs in any other type of organisation!!

I don't agree but there are major difficulties for some children with sn and their families during school holidays and there needs to be better social care provision during this time.
Locally there is nothing for more severe children and even if you are lucky and get a few hours direct payments and are able to find someone suitable, there is nowhere for these children to go. Many of them end up staying home all the time and become very distressed because of the lack of routine, stimulation and no opportunities for socialising in a way they can cope with.

I think we've demonstrated clearly what a shite idea this is.

I'm a former teacher, but you've done all the work, so well done and all that.

LionAllMessy
Which problems with the UK education system do you think would be solved by reducing holidays and lengthening school days?

For one, it will get rid of a shed load of teachers that are barely hanging on as it is.

Then the government can then make all schools academies, pay anyone that wants to be a teacher without any training a small wage. By saving lots of money the CEOs can give themselves a massive payrise out of the school funds for doing such a good job.

Teachers get paid well round here

How do you know?

I think I'll take my holiday during the week my class are doing their Christmas .

And also looking forward to my large pay rise and no longer starting work at 7.15am every weekday.

Also TAs are really badly paid, even if they were paid all year round.
It's the holidays that make it appealing and worth it for them. As those that have children can work and not have to worry about childcare in the holidays, this makes the low wage bearable.
Take that away and no one will want to do it.

Damn it, that should have been 'Christmas play'.

Not sure what happened there!

Teachers are paid reasonably well if they meet their targets. But, like I said before, 5 years of training, thousands in student loans, for a maximum of 38k if you stay a mainscale teacher (and meet your performance related pay targets). No monatary bonus or company car....I think you can forgive the bonus of 13 weeks unpaid holiday!

chickenowner my son would also want that week off and the weeks of rediculous rehearsals.

BlueSapp*
And no I wouldn't have my primary school child unsupervised at paint-balling thanks!

Ours do birthdays, Bar Mitzvahs etc. all without parent supervision.

and

Not all teachers come from money. So they will know what being poor means.

Honey

I agree, many teachers also see the holidays as compensation for the poor pay and conditions; such as the long hours, not being able to go to the loo when needed, so not being able to drink enough during the day (leading to me suffering from cystitis), not having enough resources to go round, (teaching a spelling lesson with one white board pen between 2 or 3 children) etc, etc.

Take away a chunk of our (unpaid) holidays and even more of us will leave the profession.

Tomorrow

Absolutely - it's a nightmare!!