To think the summer holidays should only be four weeks long.

[MyBrexitUnicornDied]

I’ll probably get flamed for this but I really think 6 weeks is too long for kids to be off school.

The kids (and teachers) still need to keep the same number of weeks off as holiday but summer really drags. My kids end up bored and miss their friends. I think there’s an issue with some kids losing skills over such a long break too.

It makes more sense to me to have

2 weeks half term in October
2 weeks Christmas
1 week half term February
2 weeks for Easter
2 weeks half term May / June
4 weeks summer break.

Anyone else of a similar opinion? Or am I going to get flamed?

Yay - an ally!

I think we should just go ahead and do it. His Popeness has got a fair bit on his plate at the moment and probs wouldn't notice.

DDs school gets two weeks in May but just one at Easter. 7 weeks in summer 😩

Let’s make it right in the middle of feb half term and may half term. Should be slightly incer weather by then as well.

I disagree. I think the school holidays should be 8 weeks.

We have family in Ireland and the USA and they get so much longer. Dh and I are both full time working parents but despite the hassle of childcare etc I see how much my children (teens and primary) need the 6 weeks break and I wouldn't want to deprive them of that.

Its a great shame that parents believe that holidays should be shorter or the school day longer because of work childcare needs.

It is hardly surprising that our children are losing their child hoods because of parents having to work. Issues that are manifesting in the classroom are linked to parents who do not have time for their children. These can be low self esteem, behavioural, mental health, self harming.

Personally I think we should adopt the system that children should not start school until 7, school days should end at 2 and leave holidays as they are

I'm in Scotland and think the holidays are just fine. We don't have a week in May as we finish at the end of June.

Three weeks at Christmas is a Terrible idea. Weather is shite, it's dark by 4pm and 2 weeks is plenty long enough.

@Everyexitisanentrance you're absolutely correct. Couldn't agree more x

Yeah, those evil bastard parents working to put a roof over their kids' heads and buy food to fill their bellies. It's fucking neglect, that's what it is.

Judging by this thread, and every other I have read on this subject, opinion is so divided, you’ll never keep everyone happy and there’s not one massive group of people all wanting the same change.

I think things will stay as they are for a good few decades yet!

At what stage in history did our school holiday systems come into being I wonder?

When people needed time off for harvest I think. No longer necessary as we have seasonal migrant workers. However post Brexit it could be handy once again.

Working parents is not really a modern phenomenon so we can’t blames all ills on working —parents— mothers. Working class women in particular have historically done bits around the children if they could to bring in a few extra quid. Plus women in previous generations spent a loss less time actively engaging with their children because running a home took a shitload of time.

When people needed time off for harvest I think. No longer necessary as we have seasonal migrant workers. However post Brexit it could be handy once again.

What’s minimum wage for an small child?

Again, we'll be out of the EU so less constraints re minimum wage - possibly 50p or so? No working time directives either so they'll be at it throughout daylight hours. Which handily also solves the problem of holiday childcare.

Wrongkind - yes, working class women always worked. Both my grandmothers and their sisters did, plus all of my aunties (ie my parents' generation). They didn't make loads of money, but they all worked.

So does the length and timing of our school holidays maybe relate to what was historically grown in the area? In my case that would probably be potatoes and flax. I've had a google though, and harvest time for those would be from mid August to the end of September. Although actually, out weather in September tends to be better than August a lot of the time, so that might not be a bad time to have school holidays!

Agree with the OP (I’m a teacher). Within 2 days of breaking up one year, I had to bollock some young teens for their destructive behaviour. They told me they were bored already!!

I’ve done nothing bar last minute panic spring clean the house/outbuildings this summer.

It is a sad indictment of todays society that work has to be put before children. Yes women have always worked but hells bells what sort of society of we when we chuck babies into nurseries at 7.30 am and pick them up at 6pm!

And you only have to read MN threads about childcare, cf childcare, moans about no school wraparound care, moans about the costs of school clubs. Looking after kids is expensive, housing is expensive and food is getting more expensive.

Kids are exhausted by the end of school terms.

School is not a prison

YABVVU. We used to have at least 10-11 weeks holidays in the summer. No useless half terms, inset days etc during term time. It seems that people resent spending time with their children.

You're so right, everyexit. Personally speaking, my kids are happy to be homeless, and as for entertainment, a bit of string has kept them amused all summer long. I let them eat it tonight as a back to school treat - you should have seen their dirty wizened faces - just grinning with black toothed joy, they were. It's a shame that other people are so materialistic. Some of them even have husbands who work to fund them being at home and then act like nothing costs any money! Imagine!

Secondary schools can't have 2 weeks in May due to public exams. My concern is for the children living in poverty or in toxic households. 6 weeks is a long time and too many children spend the vast majority of it in a room playing computer games. The answer is better provision for holiday activities rather than a shorter break though.

I hope your kids are happy Beelin and not just pretending to make you feel good

Nah, they hate me because I don't greet them wearing a pinny and carrying a plate of freshly baked cookies when they come home from school every day.

Also, the ball and chain that after school club makes them wear does chafe rather.