This half term should be over next week

[StoutDrinker2019]

Live in the South West where (normal not private) term finishes on the 25th October. We've done 6 long weeks and are all hanging already. Kids are shattered, mornings are a disaster zone. It's the worst half term for new starters an the transition. So why the hell is it 8 fricking weeks long?!! Who decides this shit? Pass me the stout eh.

In my experience (15 years of kids at school, that is, I can't remember my own school days!) this is always a long term. It is almost always 15 weeks long, meaning that it has to be split either 7/8 or 8/7 weeks before and after half term. At least this way they get a slightly shorter stint after half term and leading up to Christmas!

In the SW too, the state schools here finish next week and the private schools the following week, even though they then break up a week earlier at Christmas.

This term is definitely too long. Terms should be six weeks, seven weeks absolute max

We're in the US and don't half term so no break till Thanksgiving which is 28th Nov this year. It's such a long haul.

Last day for us, half term is next week then back to school on 21st

Last day if this half term is 25th.

Talking to DS' teacher (also a friend) she says that this half term is always the worst. As its longer, kids get more grumpy, mor absence at their school too.

Ours is 21st to 25th. Which is odd as last few years it's been the week where Halloween falls.

Earlier is better for us but it means that it's now a different week to her cousins and normally we have a Halloween party for the kids.

Have had to have a massive rethink now (I work weekends, cousins are 100 miles away, so can't just reschedule for the weekend before or after)

I am on maternity leave so avoiding the hell of this long term this year.. Here schools have been back 6 weeks 2 days (4 days if staff) and it's half term as of now. Then when they go back we have 9 weeks!!!!! until Christmas. What absolute idiot decided that was ok?! I teach reception and they will be on their knees by the end of a 9 week Christmas filled term, I feel sorry for my team and the children. Nightmare!

I feel as if DD has only just gone back!
I'm happy as I'd rather a longer this half and shorter run to Christmas.

Agreed!!!! I am absolutely hanging!

Glad it's not just me!

I'm in Cambridgeshire. Half term starts on the 21st here. Mine are now struggling to get up in the morning so its a welcome break for them.

Ours have finished today for half term. Which is great but it means we have a 9 week term until Christmas.

We're in NE, ours was the 21st to 25th, then they dropped it back a week, unfortunately we'd booked a holiday so mine will be having 2 weeks off. Oops.

They're ready for half term now though, the mornings are getting more difficult which is always a sign that they're ready for a break.

In my view Oct half term should always be before the clocks go back so yes, it's a week too late this year (where I live, I think in some areas they do finish at the end of next week).

(didn't know some people had finished this weekend- that's early but makes sense as the weather is more likely to be better)

I don’t know, I think it’s gone quickly. Kids in class don’t seem too tired yet. I’d rather this term was longer than Xmas term.

Im Wales and we arent breaking up till the 25th either. It does seem a longer term than than usual as we are off for Halloween this year, but are usually in school for it. That being said, I'd rather this was the longer term, as the run up to Christmas really is hell with Christmas concert practice and general excitement for the festive season means everyone is on their knees by the last week.

Mine is off most of next week and the following week. They break up for Christmas on 14th Dec, so we have lots of holiday.

Ware in the north west, one more week of school so next Friday the 18th is last day then a welcome week off.

I'm in Sheffield and it is half term on the 25th, for a week, for us - private and state schools.

This is always a longer term in my experience. Our reception children are shattered - and they did 1.5 weeks less than the others as it is.

Mind, having half term now would only mean next half term would be even longer anyway. Not sure I would want Autumn 2 to be a long one, especially with how over excited and over tired some of the children get as Christmas draws nearer.

This year for our pupils it is:

Autumn 1 - 7.5 weeks
1 week break
Autumn 2 - 7 weeks
2 week break
Spring 1 - 6 weeks
1 week break
Spring 2 - 5 weeks
2 week (& 1 day) break
Summer 1 - 6 weeks (less 2 bank holidays)
1 week break
Summer 2 - 7 weeks
6.5 weeks

Round here it is always the last week in October. Has been for as long as I can remember

Northern Ireland - holidays aren’t until Halloween - I thought this was normal so families can take part in the celebrations?

We dont know how lucky we are in the UK with all these regular breaks for the kids.
Our longest run was 16 weeks, no break, one year. That was really tough.
Weve just come back to the English system, and the kids cant quite believe they get at least a week off every 2 months!
It's only another week or 2. Hopefully everyone will manage, then the half terms just get shorter and shorter. It will soon be the summer holidays!

Noooo! Ours is fine, it's a week later over Halloween week.
It makes the Nov- Dec part easier. That's when it's proper dark and cold.