To feel a bit sad we are missing the really warm weather?

[Julystheme]

Every year this seems to happen where there’s a heatwave the last week/two weeks of term … I just wish the schools were breaking up this week!

I'm not 'rejoicing' exactly, but it is nice to have this lovely weather on my days off before the children break up when it's quieter at cafes/pubs and local attractions. I am a parent but they are early twenties now so feel I have done my bit in that respect though.

This is the Scottish holidays. And we always say it rains as soon as the kids go off not in the last few years though tbh. It's been good.

@Hardbackwriter I'm Scottish, we have always had 2 weeks in October (the holidays were originally for picking tatties/potatoes!) 2 weeks Christmas, 2 weeks around Easter (now usually always first 2 weeks of April never mind when Easter is. Finish end June or very early July, back mid Aug.

Our terms are therefore usually 8/9 weeks apart from new year to April which is often 12 weeks with a long weekend around mid Feb. That's the brutal one for us!

The Wakes fortnights could be a nightmare! After the reorganisation in the early 70s, one town moved from one authority to another but kept its old holiday pattern, they had their Wakes weeks in late June, early July but then stayed off for their Summer holiday, returning about third week of August. The authority they'd joined had the Wakes fortnight, returned for a couple of weeks then started their Summer holiday at the end of July, it meant that a teacher moving schools could find themselves finishing late August then starting first week in September, it was no fun, I was one of those teachers!

I was looking at the pictures of friends with both kids in private schools disappearing off to the seaside - Cornwall, Wales etc with envy whilst the rest of the kids are stuck in school. It is the same every year. The weather is glorious for a few weeks in July then all goes to shit normally early August. By mid August I sometimes have my heating on and it’s a bit autumnal. Which is a shame if you have a U.K. break planned.

Then, as if by magic, first week in September it perks up again…

I'm in Scotland.
My kids sat their Exams in May.
Broke up June 30th.
Back Aug 15th.

both mine have ASD & struggle with heat. plus one has the MOST awful Hayfever. Multiple nosebleeds a day / can hardly cope at all even with meds.

I am glad we are on the Scottish timetable.

Perhaps it might just be time to change it then! 😂

Yes I was thinking the same. On Friday we had the school summer fayre and it did feel like that should be the end of the year. It’s not like they are doing any study now anyway. My DC school have been having countless movie days, pyjama party day, water days which involve buckets or small pools for dipping their feel. And it been like that since last would of weeks . Thankfully we had the sports day before it got so hot

You don't think parents can enjoy things without kids?

I love mine but certain days out and attractions are far better when there are no kids around.

I live in a popular holiday area and we all know the weather will take a dive as soon as the majority of English state schools break up for the summer. Gorgeous at the moment!

im babysitting tomorrow for a girl who broke up from school last Thursday and we are looking forward to going and playing in the fountains in the local park, having a picnic and an ice-cream.

If all the schools broke up earlier and went back the last week in August it would make more sense

Well mine are teens/young adults, so I would certainly avoid going places with tons of small screaming children these days, I've done my bit!

My DC school have been having countless movie days, pyjama party day, water days which involve buckets or small pools for dipping their feel. And it been like that since last would of weeks

why? why are they doing this?

YES TO ALL OF THIS! 👆🏼

Mine are teens and 20s now…I’ve done all that stuff to death thank you.

I’m delighted - means we can holiday in the good weather in England before you’ve all broken up when it’s not so busy and a lot cheaper!

I feel your pain though - I remember going to school in the SE in baking temperatures. Not nice.

If my kids were in school I would be rejoicing. They're like a bag of weasels in this heat, constantly bickering and can't or won't sleep. Even the dog is sick of them.

I’ve got one at home and one at school today. The 3 year old is totally wiped by the heat. She’s barely been outside today but makes you quite conscious how much they can be affected. She fell asleep on the sofa about an hour and a half ago and she very rarely naps. So, not sure if we’d have been doing anything amazing anyway even if both of them had been off.

Basically I’d like it to be a nice constant 23 degrees and not the heat wave weather.

@VioletInsolence @Quweenie But the weather has been in the low twenties for most of the summer here (Cambridge) and it has barely rained. I know you’re talking about August but it’s unlikely that the weather will be much cooler. I’m not sure why people are still moaning about British weather when it’s been consistently hot and sunny

Because we don't all live in the south of England 🙃for lots of us in Britain it's been consistently cold and rainy

She might want to spend the week with her DC, as a family. Pretty sure that doesn't mean she will be organising fun for them. They will be having fun together. Lots of us enjoy doing that. If one week off of school is that detrimental to their education, then something is going horribly wrong with the standard of education they're receiving the rest of the year. Enjoy the beach @alphapie

I live in Yorkshire! Not the south. 🙃

So the weather in parts of Britain, not ‘British weather’!

It's a shame and I remember it being the case when I was at school too.

But my DD isn't in school yet so I agree with the posters saying its lovely to be able to visit places and enjoy the gorgrous weather when its quieter. I will definitely eat my words once she starts school and I'm in your boat though!

And in Ireland! They've been off since end June in primary school and end of May (for non exam years) in Secondary school :p

I do think it’s ridiculous that the children will be in school in this heat. Not because I want them off to be able to enjoy it - it’s far too hot to do much in the way of days out/trips to the park etc.
It must just be horrific to be a teacher in charge of 30 primary school children with one fan to a classroom. Our schools aren’t built for this kind of heat - no air con etc. they can’t be getting anything much done bar making sure they all drink enough. Mine are lower primary and they tend to get more quarrelsome and tearful in the heat.

I never envy teachers their jobs, but I am particularly glad I’m not one of them in this heat!
The school holidays are based around the decades old need for children to be off around the harvest. It’s madness that we don’t adjust them now to reflect the modern world - and the modern climate change!