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Original poster

To think primary schools are breaking up too late this year

207 replies

notforonesecond · 20/12/2023 09:56

I know some schools finished last week but my 2 don’t break up til Friday.

They’re exhausted, they’re acting up, the Christmas excitement has taken over and turned them into a right bag of dicks this week.

I don’t remember ever breaking up this late when I was a kid.

And they’re off til 8th January. God help me!

Should I just be glad they’re out of the house?

OP posts:
35965a · 20/12/2023 09:58

It does feel very late but it’s just the way the dates fell. It’s been a 7 or 8 week half term for most schools which is pretty long.

Qwerty556 · 20/12/2023 09:58

It's two weeks no matter how you look at.

The later they go back in January, the shorter the most miserable half-term of the year is.

29andLost · 20/12/2023 10:01

I do feel the same op, I feel its too late this year but on the other hand I am so unwell that I'm glad they are out of the house so I can attempt a bit of rest. I only have the 2 year old with me but if they were all here I think I would cry, I couldn't cope

Sahara123 · 20/12/2023 10:02

I work in a secondary school and we feel the same I can assure you! It’s an all through school so also the Primary.
Lots of tired, excited and unmotivated pupils isn’t fun. It’s set by the council, not the school, trouble is if it’s too early working parents need childcare. I’m not sure how they come up with these dates though!

Original poster
notforonesecond · 20/12/2023 10:03

Qwerty556 · 20/12/2023 09:58

It's two weeks no matter how you look at.

The later they go back in January, the shorter the most miserable half-term of the year is.

Do you reckon? Maybe I’ll be glad for it come Feb.

It just seems so close to Christmas to still be at school. I wish they were home having a more chilled build up. If I were a teacher I’d be ready to drop kick them all out the door by now!

OP posts:
WickerMam · 20/12/2023 10:04

Last year was worse, last day for us was the 23rd then. This feels more typical? I'm in Scotland though, and I think it's more usual for us to break up later, and have longer off in January.

RoseAndRose · 20/12/2023 10:04

The autumn is a real long slog, without any Bank Hols

I think everyone is knackered by the end off it!

velvetoptions · 20/12/2023 10:05

bloody hell that is late!

as i write this my two…. one still fast asleep, the other building an elaborate obstacle course for the dog. Very relaxed

velvetoptions · 20/12/2023 10:05

WickerMam · 20/12/2023 10:04

Last year was worse, last day for us was the 23rd then. This feels more typical? I'm in Scotland though, and I think it's more usual for us to break up later, and have longer off in January.

when do you go back?

devildeepbluesea · 20/12/2023 10:05

DD breaks up this week too. I like it - plenty of downtime after the big day.

Original poster
notforonesecond · 20/12/2023 10:06

Sahara123 · 20/12/2023 10:02

I work in a secondary school and we feel the same I can assure you! It’s an all through school so also the Primary.
Lots of tired, excited and unmotivated pupils isn’t fun. It’s set by the council, not the school, trouble is if it’s too early working parents need childcare. I’m not sure how they come up with these dates though!

I don’t know how you do it! Teachers are bloody amazing.

OP posts:
velvetoptions · 20/12/2023 10:06

13th to the 4th for one
15th to 8th for the other

Alittlenonsensenowandthen · 20/12/2023 10:07

I prefer it. Always used to hate the week of them anticipating Christmas and then opening presents only to be told you only play with them a week then it's back to school. Plus you get a final week to prep everything without them under your feet.

However they are absolutely knackered!

Dorriethelittlewitch · 20/12/2023 10:08

I didn't think I'd like it (we're also in Scotland) but I like the chill time afterwards. This week school are just doing "fun" stuff anyway. Parties, watching a pantomime, carol singing etc. Kids are excited and tired but they would be at home too.

MaryShelley1818 · 20/12/2023 10:10

Mine broke up yesterday, so a nice few days to relax before Christmas weekend. I wouldn't like to have still had him at school until Friday, that does seem very late.

Original poster
notforonesecond · 20/12/2023 10:12

Dorriethelittlewitch · 20/12/2023 10:08

I didn't think I'd like it (we're also in Scotland) but I like the chill time afterwards. This week school are just doing "fun" stuff anyway. Parties, watching a pantomime, carol singing etc. Kids are excited and tired but they would be at home too.

See I thought I would like it, but they did all the fun stuff last week and are just in school this week vibrating about. The behaviour is off the charts insane. Not even naughty really, just weird! They must be so tired.

I’m sure you’re right though, the extra week after New Year will be nice. Must try to be positive!

OP posts:
MuggleMe · 20/12/2023 10:13

Ours break up today and back on 4 Jan which works well for me. I find top long before Christmas and they're so impatient and terrible behaviour. This way they'll get their presents to keep them entertained and they'll be a bit more chill once the excitement is over.

fruitpastille · 20/12/2023 10:13

I prefer it. I like to have the down time afterwards without a massive to do list. Hate going back just after new year.

RaisinforBeing · 20/12/2023 10:14

We broke up on 15th and it honestly feels like I’ve got half-term before the Christmas holidays. I wish I’d booked mine into holiday clubs.

1992H · 20/12/2023 10:15

Can totally relate to the bag of dicks remark. Solidarity.

mine also don’t break up until Friday, and I’m torn between wishing we had more time to do pre Christmas stuff at home with them, and appreciating the 7 hours a day respite from them.

Pasadenadreaming · 20/12/2023 10:16

I'm in Scotland where they don't finish until Friday. I would much rather have them off earlier and go back earlier - we have a week off for half term in early Feb so they're back about 4 weeks before another holiday whereas this term's been so long.

WickerMam · 20/12/2023 10:17

velvetoptions · 20/12/2023 10:05

when do you go back?

Show quote history

We are back on the 8th this year.

Last year it was the 9th, and I got a crazy-cheap 4 night break the first week in January, which definitely made up for the lack of time before xmas. New Year falls on the wrong days for that to work out this year though.

Rollonfriday22 · 20/12/2023 10:18

It’s always the last possible day for our council. 23rd is possible then if not the closest to it.

Timeturnerplease · 20/12/2023 10:19

We broke up last Friday (primary). My Year 3 class, who are normally lovely, were painfully overexcited in the final few days. I can’t imagine having to do another week.

I prefer an early break up. More time at home to do fun stuff with my own children, then a nice focussed six week term in January with my class before Easter/school trips/Forest School/sports days/parents evenings start up again.

Poorlymumma · 20/12/2023 10:21

My son finished school last Friday and my DH doesn't finish work till this Friday for a week. So planning things for this week has been a bit of a mission for me to keep my child entertained. (I think that is a bit harder in general when you only have one though.)
He's currently on the PlayStation🙈 might go to a garden centre later. But we're both just looking forward to the weekend really and waiting for Christmas to start. So it might not be a bad thing that yours are still at school.