AIBU to think school should finish now?

[Daisydrum]

This really lovely hot weather seems to happen at the end of June and in July each year. Yet the children still have to go into school when most other countries have finished for the summer. Then have the whole of August off when the end of August is notoriously bad (always around the bank holiday!) and the summer solstice is long gone.
AIBU to think we should move the summer holidays earlier?

Ifnot have you ever worked in a primary school? If so, you wouldn't be saying that about a long Autumn term.

My two secondary school kids finshed the start of June, not back till the end of August

we could change the summer holidays without removing the breaks they have during the year. Haters will moan about the teachers holidays, but they'll moan anyway, so who cares - it should be about the best interest of the kids,and they really benefit from a longer summer break.

We finish in Scotland for school hols tomorrow, expect the rain ⛈ to start on Monday and continue for 7 weeks!

I think UK school holidays are too short, but I think our secondary school holidays are too long. Teenagers just end up hanging around bored.

Nah, I have the best memories of long summers from when i was a teenager and mine love the break as well

I’m in fife and we get 6 weeks in summer, 2 weeks at the start of October, 2 weeks at Christmas and 2 weeks around Easter, with the odd “half term” which is only ever 1-2 days off (e.g. 3 days off including 1 in-service mid-February).

Agreed. Makes most sense for secondary school students since exam season typically ends in June so July is notoriously doss about time. Makes no sense to keep them in school throughout July imo. Should finish end of June and return mid August.

Dancergirl

They get plenty hols between summer and xmas.

I'd prefer 2 weeks off in May and 5 weeks in the summer, which I think they do in some areas (Cheshire).

Also didn't towns like Bolton used to have a different pattern - not sure if they still do.

August is a silly time to have off, the nights are drawing in and the weather is generally much better in June, there are exceptions but as a general rule.

But selfishly it can stay as is, because in 3 years time ds will have left school and I won't have to go away in school holidays anymore so will stick to June and September!

Dancergirl
We get plenty of days off between summer hols and xmas

It's a very long 7 1/2 weeks from May half term. It's really hot and a constant PITA keeping the kids out of the sun, wearing hats, coping with weekend sunburn etc.
I'd make the half term the start of the long holiday - have June and half of July off and take the end of August bank holiday as a week off.

Ireland here - School broke up today, back on 3rd September. School days are shorter as well. Infants do 8.45 til 13.45 and juniors do 8.45 - 14.45

I'm in Ireland too. My DCs school day is 9.20-3.00. I do know that the Educate Together school has similar hours to the ones you mention.

Interesting. So if you break up late June, do you tend to go away straight away and take advantage of cheaper holidays?

I couldn't imagine schools not going back in September (I'm English). Once August is finished that's the end of summer (Indian summers excepted), Autumn arrives and it's a fresh start in September.

We do- yes..

We do- yes..

I couldn't imagine schools not going back in September
I am with you, but I could perfectly see them breaking mid or end June.

It's bad enough in Secondary, but the very short summer break in Primary? They are kids, let them be kids. They will be spending their life at work soon enough, they need a proper summer break.

I couldn't imagine schools not going back in September
I am with you, but I could perfectly see them breaking mid or end June.

It's bad enough in Secondary, but the very short summer break in Primary? They are kids, let them be kids. They will be spending their life at work soon enough, they need a proper summer break.

My dc finished on Tuesday, go back 15th August, so 7 lovely weeks - I love having them around (teenagers). We're off on holiday with cheaper flights (though our villa price is the same as July/Aug) on 7th. Another one who doesn't want the rest of the uk off in June!

We are in US, but at a British school, we break up this week and return in Sept. However we have long days when are are in school, primary DC often doing things from 7:30-4:45. We are ready for the break.

Isawthelight - it is just a normal National School - there is a school directly across the road which was there first so I assume the staggered the start and finish times for road safety reasons.

Not in the U.K. and we've been off since June 1 and not going back till September...