To not want schools to give up summer holidays

[littleblackdress04]

Just read in papers that it’s been proposed that kids go back to school in July/ August

I think this is a rubbish idea - if it’s going to be that long then just let them have a ‘normal’ summer and go back in September.

Kids have been cooped up because of this- I’d want to take mine to the hills, go camping & let them have some freedom. Then start school in September. This isn’t a holiday for them - it’s a horrible stressful period of being cooped up & not being able to live their normal lives.

While school gives a structure and is important, so are proper periods of holiday.

I’m really against the idea but aibu? Be interested to hear other thoughts. I’ve not been particularly worried about the kids education- they will catch up in time and it will be fine

I agree. There will be people who have holidays planned, assuming some form of movement is allowed by then. What are they meant to do? We all need some ‘normal’ family time as much as they need normal educational time.

I think this is a very sensible idea to make up lost time. No one needs that big holiday after lockdown. For those anxious/distressed it is even more important to get back into a healthy routine.

Question is whether the gov can afford to pay teachers over this period which of course would need to happen (most of their holidays are unpaid but their pay is divided into equal monthly instalments). Plus the unions will go nuts.

Caveat: pre booked holidays should be honoured. Suspect travel will still be limited by then and people less reticent to go abroad in case they get stuck if things kick off again.

No. This is a terrible idea.

Doubt it would happen....holidays will have been booked by school staff as that's the only time we can go so schools potentially won't have enough staff to open then

No one needs that big holiday after lockdown.

You speak for the nation do you then? 😂

There won't be any foreign travel this side of Christmas I'm guessing, so after an extended break in lockdown children will be ready to return to school and parents to get back to work. I'm not saying it's right, but people can't live on SSP forever.

Teachers aren’t paid for a lot of the school holidays (they are only actually paid for the normal amount of holidays everyone gets) so the government would have to find extra money to pay them all if they want them to work.

Schools will not go back in the holidays - it would be a breach of contract and teachers would have to be paid additional weeks salary as the holidays are unpaid. Also, just imagine running from August straight into what is usually the longest half term of the year in September - children could not manage a 13 week stint in school without a break after what they are are currently going through.

Plus we as school staff aren't paid for all the school holidays and we won't work for free and can't see them paying us an extra 6 weeks wages....

“No one needs that big holiday after lockdown“

Well, the teachers might. The vast majority of us are still working, you know.

There is a whole summer holiday childcare indusrty that would struggle /close if schools open over the summer.

I think the long summer holidays are a thing of the past. I don’t think they will exist in the post-Covid19 world.

My kids would be fine with a shorter break. They prefer school to holiday club. Home life is awful with them missing friends, learning and activities.

But it's not fair on the teachers so I don't think it'll happen.

I bloody well need a holiday! Even just a UK break or trip to Alton towers. Most of us will need some enjoyable downtime after this

I need a holiday after this lockdown! We live in a tiny house - it’s very stressful & I am trying to juggle full time work with home educating. I have a camping trip in rural wales booked & I hope it can go ahead in August

And the teachers who still work, they will need their 6 week break more than ever. I can see us going into a further lockdown in December and stop starting school for a long while.

For those anxious/distressed it is even more important to get back into a healthy routine.

I disagree. If lockdown goes on until July, those anxious and distressed will need time to relax and enjoy themselves in a way they can control. Not be pushed back into a situation of massive crowds of people as happens at secondary school lesson change over.

If my DD has to go straight from lockdown to a full secondary school she won't cope.

Plus, teachers are working now, and will be until the end of the summer term. Either you say school is closed now (ie after Easter holidays) but will run in summer, or you keep the holidays.

Surely they will open summer clubs first?
Childminders and simular? That’s when they earn their money.

I think it is a terrible idea. Children and adults need a break, go out again not being coped up for months to come.

DD is in secondary, I doubt that the home schooling will be easy for her without teachers actual teaching not just sending work and parents working.

Also, I would think that the majority of people have booked holidays and if the restrictions are gone so people can go back to school/work than we can also go back on holiday.

Teachers will also need the break, they have to prepare for next school year, they also need a break from the stress of unprecedental circumstances and not just jump back into "normality".

No, most people are going to be thoroughly sick of hanging out with their children after this and it’ll be good to get back to normality without six long yawning weeks to fill.

Lockdown isn't a holiday.
Teachers are still working and my DCs were both putting in full school / college days online before the Easter break.

@OublietteBravo why are long summer holidays a thing of the past? Kids need them in normal life as much as anyone

No, I want DS to have his summer holiday. He's still doing schoolwork. And yes we will need a break after lockdown - one where we can actually get outside and enjoy it instead of being stuck inside!

It's also not fair on the teachers.

I’m a teacher and still working. Lots of us are. I’m not working my summer holidays too (especially as I’m not paid for it).