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?

I think it’s a bit miserable too. Xmas events squished into weekends when little ones are already tired and then a week off in Jan when there’s nothing on 🤷‍♀️

We're not in the UK ( live in another European country) and my DS school was originally going to break up on Christmas eve this year (although it would be a half day).

Now the government have decided to close schools a week earlier due to Covid concerns! He goes back on the 10th.
In a way it will maybe be nice to do some fun Christmas stuff in the week before, but I'll also have to rush to get everything done now, as it's harder with DS home

17 th here which is perfect for us I always think other years it’s been too late

Xmas eve is first day of the holidays here!

I am in the Middle East, schools break up this Thursday (9th) and back on the 2nd January. We had a long weekend last weekend and a lot of people have already gone. Would rather they finished on the 16th and back a week later.

I much prefer a later break up, I work full time and it’s easier to get time off / work fewer hours between Christmas and New Year as there typically isn’t really any work to do.

We also typically go for a weekend uk break in either cabin or in a city apartment, the weekend before they go back. But because they break up 17th here the weekend before the go back is new years, and therefore £600-800 more expensive - so can’t afford to go

Ours finish on 22nd Dec and back on 6th Jan - as per normal. The schools only ever close on 21/22nd (depending on days of the week - if 25th is a Tuesday or Wednesday, they close 21st, otherwise generally its not until 22nd).

Split weeks for starts and ends of holidays are not unusual to match the calendar.

There is the half day on 22nd, all day 23rd and all day 24th before Christmas itself, as well as the weekends running up to it, that you can do things with DCs. And all the afternoons after school is finished.

@Redsquirrel5 - the OP has said that she is a teacher

DS finishes on the 22nd and back on the 4th. Me and DH are off 24th - 3rd so it has worked out well

I agree OP. I think 22nd is very late.

17th-4th here, i think i definitely prefer having the week before christmas.

Mine are at their dads for xmas this year, so i have the week prior to have cuddles, movies, and hot chocolate before he picks them up after work xmas eve.

I'm off to spend xmas with my brother and his kids, so it'll still be lovely.

@Whinge it's not a state school, but even DH's independent boarding school doesn't break up till the 17th. The school just seems to have short half terms and loooooong holidays - a month at christmas, a month at easter, 2 months for the summer. I don't know what we would do if DH wasn't a teacher himself.

I think it’s just fallen badly this year with Christmas being at the weekend, the 17th is too early but 22nd is too late! Ideal would probably be about the 20th.

every day in school counts

Rubbish. On the 20th, our secondary school are doing an inter house Christmas sport competition. (Which my daughter won’t be taking part in) This is followed by the drama clubs doing their pantos, and a Christmas disco.

On the 21st it’s a half day. They start at 9, have an extended break from 10-10.45 for the Christmas charity sale. My daughter’s year goes for lunch at 11.45 til 12.30 and school closes at 1.00. If kids normally go home for lunch, they don’t need to return after lunch.

Those days do not count and she will be finishing on the 17th.

Yes, it's the 17th here. And then I have a whole week of trying to entertain mine as no holiday club open. Because I don't finish up work until end of day on the 23rd. She's going to be so bored and fed up by Christmas.

22nd is way better for childcare.

what else is there to do

Things like visits to theatres, to see reindeer, visit garden centres, visit Santa, pantomimes, and so on.

I’m sure I’ll be glad we broke up late the first week in January, it’s just a bit exhausting cramming it into weekends and it means anything that needs to be done before Christmas has two days which isn’t long when everyone else will have the same idea!

Do you work OP?

Mine finishes 17th at lunchtime which I think is spot on. I’m pleased I’ve changed jobs and we get given 24th so finishing 23rd seems early to me.
I do think Christmas celebration has moved earlier. Lots take decorations down much easier than 12th night. There isn’t much by way of fun activities first week of January.

What do you do for childcare if the finish on the 17th?

Yes, I’m a teacher!

I save up my leave through the year to take a fortnight off every Christmas, which usually covers the school holidays whenever they happen. The bank holidays help!

@ThatsNotMyPinkUnicorn ah so no issues with childcare or annual leave if the school breaks up early. That explains it.

We Home Ed so I'm finishing us on the 22nd and starting again on the 10th I'm unwell and need the time after to decompress and plan for next term. The half week will mostly be fun Yule activities though

In aus it's our summer holiday - so the kids broke up on the 2nd December!! They go back 30 January...