To think finishing on the 22nd for Christmas is a bit daft?

[ThatsNotMyPinkUnicorn]

I’m just wondering why some schools are finishing so late and why going back for half a week?

I can only think it’s to have that week on the other side of January and it is nice in a way but it’s making the run up to Christmas absolutely frantic. This happens in the summer too and it’s practically august when the schools break up here so you miss all the best weather!

AIBU or is this a bit silly?

We finish on the 17th this year but next year it’s going to be the 23rd!!! Dreading it (I’m a primary teacher with two kids).

DS finishes on the 23rd this year and goes back 10th January. I prefer it when it's earlier as I go back to work on the 4th.

are you a teacher @ThatsNotMyPinkUnicorn?

Earlier is better. I'm a teacher. The Autumn term is the longest and the children are shattered by December. The Spring Term is always the shortest.

My children are older and though now don't get over excited I still wish they finished on the 22nd.
They finish on the 17th which basically means a week of being bored and not much time after Christmas. Totally wrong way round if you ask me.

I definitely prefer later! 17th feels far too early to have excited kids at home while you're trying to get sorted for Christmas.

DD also finishes on the 17th and I like it as it means we can do Christmas things which are otherwise pushed to evenings and weekends only.

We don't have family around so January is also a bit meh as we saw all our friends before NYE and everyone is then busy with going back to normal. Not a lot is going on anymore, people take down decorations and I prefer going back to normal routines.

We were due to finish on the 23rd and return on the 10th. But it's changed to the 17th to finish and then back on the 5th. I get a whole week off before Christmas for once.

Break up 17th and I would prefer the 22nd tbh. Tying things up before Xmas is always a nightmare

I’m a teacher yes … dreading that last half week!

Many parents work, they want them in school. All very well for the sahm's here but there's very few childcare options open at Christmas.22nd has always been normal and going back around the 9th - means that the full week after new year is easier to either get childcare for or if you need to take it off, go skiing

I'm in Scotland with teacher relatives. Their schools always finished up around the 23rd from memory, and had a longer break into January.

I think it makes sense - gives the kids longer to play with their toys, rather than sit on the sofa getting bored/worked up before the exciting bit.

For all the banging on about the "12 days of Christmas" that's not the way we live any more. Nobody only starts celebrating on Christmas Day and continues through to the 6th January any more. Like it or not, the season has shifted to Christmas Day being seen as the END or culmination of the season, not the start.

This year we finish on Tuesday 21st and kids go back on Wednesday 5th. In previous years, depending on the days on which Christmas has fallen, we haven't gone back until the 7th or 8th and that's so late. Nobody wants a holiday the first week of January when the weather is dreadful.

A lot of state schools seem to be breaking up w/c 13 December which is really super early. Unheard of in recent years. A whole week and a bit until Christmas Day. A challenge and expense to fill so many days meaningfully for families with primary school-aged DC.

Last year we broke up on the 10th (the 10th!) … and then didn’t go back for 3 months…

We’re breaking up a bit later this year and I’m glad because at this point every day in school counts..

We are 22nd, which is about standard for us. We've been known to finish on the 23rd.

Back on the 10th January.

Most schools in my area seem to be finishing on the 17th this year. I can't ever remember breaking up this early, and it's been tricky to fit in all the Christmas activities / plays in school.

Ours finish on the 22nd, I personally find it absolutely ridiculous. You can't do any of the fun stuff on the run up to Christmas. Santa visits, train rides, Christmas markets etc. but you can have the first week in January off when it's crap, everybody is back at work and nothing is on. To me the late finish is ruining the magic of Christmas.

Ours finish on the 22nd, I personally find it absolutely ridiculous. You can't do any of the fun stuff on the run up to Christmas. Santa visits, train rides, Christmas markets etc. but you can have the first week in January off when it's crap, everybody is back at work and nothing is on. To me the late finish is ruining the magic of Christmas.

every day in school counts

I think our school may have that approach but trying to get year 8 to do something that counts that last week may prove tricky!

Mine finishes 17th which I dont mind cos we have panto and grotto visit. Next year is 23rd I think so am already thinking I'll have to book pants asap to get a weekend ticket.

On balance I think I'd rather finish early.

I prefer to enjoy the Christmas festivities with the dc before Christmas, so breaking up is better for us - as there is so much to do and fun and it is exciting. Taking walks to see the see the lights, making Christmas crafts and baking etc. January is dull and cold, pretty joyless and not especially something to be excited about!! :)

I much prefer finishing earlier. Once new year is over, it’s just boring and it’s better for us to enjoy the run up to Christmas.

@ThatsNotMyPinkUnicorn

Ah - mine are tiny so not old enough to be excited. I can see that having school age children under your feet is hard. I just can’t believe I’ll have one day then Christmas Eve!

Just imagine how the staff feel! Excited children 30 or so in a class, bad weather so they can’t always go out and run off some of that energy, erratic timetable to get art /crafts and the Christmas Nativity/play, carol service etc done plus it is the longest term. They have to be super organised for their own Christmas. I remember it well and loved parts of it but it is hard work believe me especially those children who find it difficult to be out of their routine. I retired last year and I am really enjoying getting my baking and card marking done at a more leisurely pace.

The staff usually go back two days earlier than the children in January to get the training days covered.

Here we finish on 22nd but back on the 5th. Suits me fine.