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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think these term date changes suck!

77 replies

Justanotherissue · 23/02/2022 17:25

NC for this.
Just found out our school has changed the October and Christmas half terms for the next school year.
They’ve added an extra week in October - so now 2 weeks- and only 1 week for Xmas (break up 22nd).
I’m quite pissed off but don’t know if I’m being unreasonable or dramatic- my thoughts:
1- childcare for two weeks in October will be a hassle, holiday clubs won’t be open for 2 weeks
2- the run up to Christmas with primary aged kids is great, breaking up 2 days before Xmas eve is extremely limiting
3- It limits the chances to travel to family over Xmas
4- I think kids need a two week break in the colder darker months after more school, can’t see the need in October.

Anyone else’s school do this?

OP posts:
springisaroundthecorner · 23/02/2022 17:30

That's awful. Why on earth have they done that ?

Frazzled2207 · 23/02/2022 17:32

I’d be annoyed as we. From a childcare pov longer at Christmas is much easier as we have a work shut down so can manage on minimal annual leave.

Not quite the same but our council mooted the idea of having three weeks at Christmas (going into mid jan) and less in the summer. Other than making it easier to go skiing which the vast majority of families don’t, this was totally panned as a daft idea and fortunately cancelled.

I think you need to make a point about the childcare concerns. Regarding point 2 we always break up super late anyway, 22 or 23 is usual. It seems quite late notice for the next academic year too. Bet the teachers aren’t too happy.

HolyMilkBoobiesBatman · 23/02/2022 17:34

2 weeks off in October is great for little ones who find that long term really tiring.
It’s also great for cheaper m, off-peak holidays abroad compared to the overpriced summer season.

But only one week at Christmas is horribly limiting.
They could easily take one or two days off every other holiday to make up for it which would be the best solution as it allows the longer October without the same sacrifice.

BobHadBitchTits · 23/02/2022 17:34

We had two weeks at October which was a massive ballache.

SickAndTiredAgain · 23/02/2022 17:35

Have they given any reason? I bet the teachers are cross as well - DM is a teacher and she’d be furious, who wants an extra week in October??

SunshineCake1 · 23/02/2022 17:36

My sons secondary school changed October to two weeks as they were sick of parents taking their kids away for two weeks when one week was the break. They still get two at Christmas though.

Helouiet · 23/02/2022 17:37

Try private school holidays. 4 weeks at Christmas, sometimes 2 weeks in October. 4weeks at Easter and 8 weeks in summer!

Original poster
Justanotherissue · 23/02/2022 17:38

No reason, hasn’t even been communicated (which considering the yearly annual leave for working parents runs jan-dec I think is poor) - the dates are just on the website

OP posts:
Troublesometooth · 23/02/2022 17:38

We get 2 in October and 2 at Christmas, but only 4 in the summer.

Original poster
Justanotherissue · 23/02/2022 17:38

@Helouiet

Try private school holidays. 4 weeks at Christmas, sometimes 2 weeks in October. 4weeks at Easter and 8 weeks in summer!
Don’t you get longer school days?
OP posts:
UndertheCedartree · 23/02/2022 17:39

I would hate that. I begrudge them going back before the 6th already as I like to celebrate the 12 days of Christmas!

FairyCakeWings · 23/02/2022 17:40

That’s bad! Especially if there’s lots of parents that probably don’t even realise yet. They should at least put it in the newsletter if they’re going to do something so strange.

LotusCheesecake · 23/02/2022 17:41

Our schools have done 2 week October half term the last few years by combining inset days and going back a few days earlier in September. It's been great and generally parents have appreciated a few insets together instead of random days here and there, as well as the opportunity for some cheap breaks away.

But 1 week at Christmas is mental and I can't believe anyone is happy about that.

NotRainingToday · 23/02/2022 17:41

If you only have one week off at Christmas and break up on 22nd, do they go back on 30th Dec? That would be weird.

nancy75 · 23/02/2022 17:42

If you have holiday clubs you usually use drop them an email now so they are aware of the school closure that week / you may find they will run something (especially if it’s one that has lots of kids attending from your school)

Bumtum126 · 23/02/2022 17:45

I'd like that , prefer 2 weeks at Oct than Christmas.

Original poster
Justanotherissue · 23/02/2022 17:46

@NotRainingToday

If you only have one week off at Christmas and break up on 22nd, do they go back on 30th Dec? That would be weird.
Well they go back the 3rd jan- ok slightly over a wk, but normally would break up around the 15th
OP posts:
PotteringAlong · 23/02/2022 17:47

We break up on the 23rd this year (as do my children’s school) but we’ve got 2 weeks off.

Would love 2 weeks off in a October and would happily give up a week of the summer for it but not a week of Christmas!

DetailMouse · 23/02/2022 17:48

2 weeks in October is quite popular. It enables families to get away when prices aren't so steep - won't last if everyone does it though!

Clymene · 23/02/2022 17:48

@Helouiet

Try private school holidays. 4 weeks at Christmas, sometimes 2 weeks in October. 4weeks at Easter and 8 weeks in summer!
Oh noooooo! Poor you Hmm
YerAWizardHarry · 23/02/2022 17:48

It sounds insane to break up as early as the 15th! In Scotland we always get 2 weeks at October and break up around the 22nd

DetailMouse · 23/02/2022 17:48

We only get about a week and a half at Christmas and one week in Oct. Where am I being cheated?!

Original poster
Justanotherissue · 23/02/2022 17:49

@PotteringAlong

We break up on the 23rd this year (as do my children’s school) but we’ve got 2 weeks off.

Would love 2 weeks off in a October and would happily give up a week of the summer for it but not a week of Christmas!

I personally enjoy the run up to Xmas- would be happy to break up on the 10th and go back on the 26th Grin Personally seeing Santa and panto etc- I like to do before Xmas, just limiting now imo
OP posts:
Original poster
Justanotherissue · 23/02/2022 17:50

@YerAWizardHarry

It sounds insane to break up as early as the 15th! In Scotland we always get 2 weeks at October and break up around the 22nd
Really? Oh I thought it was quite standard
OP posts:
ThisMustBeMyDream · 23/02/2022 17:51

My SD's school have gone nuts with their holidays too. It's causing all sorts of issues here as my OH is a teacher, and my kids are also at school. It was hard enough before, but now it's bloody ridiculous. This year they broke up on Xmas eve and went back Jan 10th! My kids were off 17th-5th and DP 22nd-5th. Trying to find a 50/50 split of the holidays that everyone was happy with was tricky. We did in the end, but I'm dreading future years. Hers is a church school, and they have just gone totally rogue on the hols! She now has 1 week and 2 days at Easter, when DP and my kids have 20 days. Currently on Feb half term with my kids - hers was last week. Even though they only went back on 10th jan! So the half term was just 5 weeks!
Even her mum, who works there, isn't happy with it. Once her older child goes to secondary it will be awful for her both in arranging care for the elder, but in having her children off on different holidays as they are 3 school years apart, it will go on for some time before both kids are back in the same school. But then she will still be stuck with the crazy hols unless she finds a new job. I don't envy her tbh!