Summer holidays - outdated

[Wednesdayafternoon]

So I was just scrolling through Facebook and I saw some pictures after school club/breakfast club to my sons school put up and it just got me thinking how crazy it is that schools just completely shut down for like 6-7 weeks.
They have all these facilities during term time to support working families because there is obviously a need to for it, but in the holidays... ahh f*ck it!
Obviously o know there's summer schemes but at a massive expense and also different hours and locations.
My sons school isn't offering one so he's attending some random school for 3 days over the summer mainly just so he's socialising!
I'm extremely lucky as my mum is a great help to me during the holidays. And obviously I'm very much looking forward to spending more time with my boys and no school run... hurry!!!
But I just find it crazy that schools close for such a significant period of time.
Obviously I know school isn't childcare but it school itself enables parents to work so it kind of is 🤷🏼‍♀️

Absolutely agree but equally acknowledge the need for my children to be free from the strict school schedule

Children need the break from school by the time it

I don’t think they need to be 6 weeks. They forget lots and spend a month when they go back catching up.
A month would be plenty. Then stick an extra week on the May/Oct holidays.

Pressed send too soon.

children need the break from school by the time it gets to the end of summer term, staff too. Our school uses the holidays to do any non-urgent repair or refresh work to the building/grounds that's easier to get done when the children aren't there. Training takes place (safeguarding, first aid, etc) and planning meetings are had for the upcoming academic year. Any vacancies are advertised for and filled. It's a period of reset so that when everyone comes back in September they're refreshed and ready to go.

Your issue isn't with schools having a summer holiday, your issue is with the lack of childcare in your area and I agree - childcare should be consistently available, high quality, and accessible to all who need it.

I think they should have more camps like in the US

I think 6 weeks is too long but I do agree a break is needed, my daughter has asd and won’t interact with any kids during the holidays (no friends) so I think it’s a long time to be away from other children and socialising I wish it was a bit shorter

Of course you are correct OP ,but no way will teachers ever agree

Well yeah I agree my son needs a break, and like I said I'm happy for him to be home. I'm looking forward to it too.
Childcare isn't my issues this year as I have help and I've managed my work holidays, but I'm lucky, the majority aren't.
I think 6 weeks is a heck of a long time. My son is going into year one. He really struggles going back to school after the holidays... I dread tk think what he'll be like in September 😳

Yep, this.

Agree with the PP who said a month is plenty.

I think my point really is, how can schools or the gouverntn or who ever makes these decisions think that during term time they will offer so much support to parents for example breakfast and after school clubs to support parents and also aid extra socialising and learning etc, but the. In the holidays.. nothing.
Does none of that matter then 🤷🏼‍♀️

Entirely correct, we no longer need children to help gather the harvest. Children would be perfectly happy with 3 or even 4 weeks off. However, it will be the teachers who wouldn’t agree to their 3.5 months of holidays being eroded…

I think a lot of teachers would leave if they didn't have the long holiday! Many teachers are also working parents and appreciate time with their own children that they don't get much of in term time.

I appreciate it's hard for many working parents though.

It worries me for the vulnerable children. The disadvantaged children. The neglected children.

Teachers don't set the holiday dates, the government determines how many days of education every child is entitled to (190 currently) and the local authority decides which days those will be and where the holidays will land.

I do get thsi side of it...
but the comment about them spending time with their kids annoys me abit.
I work and know other parents who work full time and don't get X amount of weeks off and all bank holidays to spend with their kids. Likely chance if they move jobs then they wouldn't get more then 4 weeks a year off work to spend time with their children and the. Also have to work bank holidays etc!

Yes this is what I'm referring too really!

You aren’t wrong. The majority of kids have 2 working parents so they aren’t really getting a long break anyway as they are up and in clubs etc for the full day anyway due to limited annual leave.

Gosh, here in Ireland my primary school aged child has 10 weeks and 5 days holidays.
My two in secondary have 13 weeks and 3 days.
We're only halfway through the holidays yet!

@OwlinaTree Many teachers are also working parents and appreciate time with their own children that they don't get much of in term time.
Isn’t that just working parents through? I don’t see how that’s unique to teachers.

Many parents seem to be able to work their hours so they can drop off or collect their children. Many people now work partly from home. Teachers can't really do that.

Teachers don't get 3.5 months holiday. They're contracted and paid to provide 190 days of teaching/directed time plus however many days training, planning, etc (exact number will vary by school, responsibility level, and so on). That pay is divided over 12 months so it seems like they're getting paid for school holidays when in reality they're not, they're just having their contracted pay. If you wanted shorter/less school holidays and more directed time then teachers would need to be paid for that additional time, the money for which would need to be raised via increased taxes. There would also need to be more investment in support staff, resources, buildings, etc.

In lreland we have what's called The July Provision where children with Special needs particularly ASD get extra time with tutors. This often focuses on social activities as often those children find it difficult to fit into hectic Summer camps. They can also do school work in small intervals so everything isn't forgotten by September. Teachers or Classroom Assistants do it often in groups together sometimes back in school or, depending on the family situation in the child's home.
If holidays were only one month families would all be rushing off booking flights etc at the same time causing mayhem. I think it's brilliant for children to have time to chill, visit relatives and later take on Summer jobs. But l am a teacher so l would say that!!!

Imo teachers get pretty good pay when you realise it's for 190 days.

I've always loved the long lazy days being able to do what I want with my children when I want to. Nice relaxed mornings, nowhere we need to be except where we choose to go. As a kid I loved that long summer break away from routine and the other school children.

Better provision should be there for children of working parents and possibly even subsidised -although there are schemes in place for lower income families - but it should be fun and allow for children's interests and be more holiday like.

Summer off gives parents and children to try different things. I think that great for development not just following a school routine same all year.
They are going to some camps trying out sports, activities they have not done before.
Plus with bright warm evenings my children go to bed soooooo late wouldn't be able for school.
We in Ireland finished 23rd June school a distant memory by now 🤣 can't imagine only starting holidays now.