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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:
MikeRafone · 20/12/2023 11:36

I used to like it when my two broke up just a couple of days before xmas. It meant they were excited for xmas without all the mothering the week before. Then we got to enjoy the week of xmas and they were able to chill out with present etc for 10 days before returning to school really refreshed

QuestionableMouse · 20/12/2023 11:38

TokyoSushi · 20/12/2023 10:29

Last day today and back on the 4th here, which for once feels about right!

Same for us! Both kiddos are absolutely knackered and driving my sister mad! (Nephews, but we're really close!)

ColleenDonaghy · 20/12/2023 11:42

Gosh I think the opposite entirely OP! Usually ours are in til the 23rd but they finish tomorrow. I'm not used to prepping Christmas with them around! Prefer the time after as our Christmas week is very busy so it's nice to decompress after.

TeenLifeMum · 20/12/2023 11:46

My dc went to school (secondary) Monday and Tuesday. Totally pointless. They’ve watched Christmas films and had the Christmas assembly but not really achieved anything educational. I guess they could argue it was friendship bonding time? Dd1 is year 11 and they did a well-being day which dd was dreading but actually enjoyed it. Teachers are totally done and so are the dc. They would all have happily broken up on Friday.

tadpolelove · 20/12/2023 11:47

Mine finished yesterday and go back on the 4th but we are going on holiday that day and not home until the 12th so they won't be back at school until the 15th. I bloody love them being home 🥰

moomoomoo27 · 20/12/2023 11:48

Think it's pretty standard, Christmas is always a late one for state schools.

GotMooMilk · 20/12/2023 11:51

Ours finished on Friday (normal state primary) I was a bit nervous about this week but it’s been nice. They are excited but lots of free Christmassy stuff on in our city and we have been baking and going for nice walks! I feel for you it is so late and time off in Jan just seems bloody pointless and depressing. Mine are back on the 4th so back to normal quickly thank goodness!

melj1213 · 20/12/2023 11:51

My DDs secondary school breaks up after lunch tomorrow so they essentially get a 3.5 day weekend before Christmas day which I think is just the right amount of time for it to not feel like they're off forever but also for it not to feel rushed either.

I don't work Friday or Sunday but am in work on Saturday so our plan is to do the last grocery shopping on Friday morning, do some Christmas baking together for the family Christmas dinner on Christmas day, finish any last minute tasks we haven't got round to, then have a takeaway and chilled night. Then on Saturday while I'm at work DD has plans to go out with a friend for the day, then Christmas Eve we always drop off family presents in the morning, then just have a chilled afternoon at home, Christmas Eve mass then home for a nice hot bath, PJs, a Christmas movie then bed.

If DD was finishing Friday then for us we wouldn't get to have that day to just get jobs done before the Christmas weekend but if she had finished any earlier I think boredom would be setting in by Christmas Day.

mrssunshinexxx · 20/12/2023 11:56

Mine broke up on 15th and it's too early lol

BlueRidgeMountain · 20/12/2023 12:04

Ours broke up yesterday, back on the 4th. Oldest is in comp, and we were told they finish at 1 yesterday. Adjusted my plans so I could pick him up. Got a phone call off him just after 12.30 asking where I was as he’d been let out already!

Sn1859 · 20/12/2023 12:22

I broke up on Friday, we return on the 2nd! I would have rather stayed a week so we didn’t return until the 8th!

OooohAhhhh · 20/12/2023 12:24

Mine is the same - finishing this Friday. I know of others that finished last week & Tuesday of this week.

Sartre · 20/12/2023 12:24

I’m a uni lecturer and students finished last week but we don’t officially clock off till tomorrow which is useful since my DC also finish school tomorrow. I’m not bothered about them finishing later because it’s removed the stress of trying to entertain them for a week before Christmas whilst I’m still expected to have some research output.

I am, however, bothered about the late return because a week of DC in January when the fun and excitement of Christmas is over does not sound good.

cantbecaught · 20/12/2023 12:26

When my kids were small I favoured earlier breakups so we could do the magical December stuff. Now they're bigger we love the late breakups as all that lovely chill time after Christmas!

Chipsahoy · 20/12/2023 12:29

Scotland here. I’m keeping my teens home after tomorrow as they are bored out their brains watching things like Disney cars in lessons? Crazy. They may as well be at home enjoying baking for Christmas and chill time. My youngest will stay until the end of the week as he was off all last week unwell and he’s enjoying the parties and carols and concerts.

velvetoptions · 20/12/2023 12:43

Chipsahoy · 20/12/2023 12:29

Scotland here. I’m keeping my teens home after tomorrow as they are bored out their brains watching things like Disney cars in lessons? Crazy. They may as well be at home enjoying baking for Christmas and chill time. My youngest will stay until the end of the week as he was off all last week unwell and he’s enjoying the parties and carols and concerts.

your teens school sounds utterly shite

calexico · 20/12/2023 13:18

My Year 5 DS finished yesterday lunchtime and goes back on the 9th. It feels like a long break this year.

Chipsahoy · 20/12/2023 15:07

Yup it can be. But they are happy, and their grades are good, plus they don’t have to wear uniform. In Scotland you go to your allocated school, it’s not common to move schools.

watersoul · 20/12/2023 15:11

@notforonesecond "bag of dicks" ha ha ha. My lg breaks up on Thursday and I feel your pain.

Raincloudsonasunnyday · 20/12/2023 15:14

Exactly the same dates as you, exactly the same feelings as you.

It could be worse for you, though. We're in the US so we've only had 3 days off (for Thanksgiving) since September. Two mid-week days off for parent-teacher conferences and report-writing; I think one bank holiday Monday. It's been a LONG slog.

The public (ie state) schools in my state have had the same as us AND are only getting one week off over Christmas! Kids at school until this Friday, back at school on 2nd of January. Insane. Pity the kids, pity the teachers, pity the parents.

Beezknees · 20/12/2023 15:23

It's always been like this in Derbyshire where I am. 2 years ago they didn't break up until the 23rd

Hobbitlover · 20/12/2023 15:32

Both High & Primary finish on Friday here😫

ChilledToTheBone · 20/12/2023 15:34

Ours broke up last week.
Wish it was this week, and had longer after as the build up to Christmas and trying to keep them entertained when so cold and wet out is depressing.

SpongeBob2022 · 20/12/2023 15:36

One school in our area broke up last Friday. I thought that was too early.

Breaking up this Friday feels too late.

DS finished after lunch today. That's fine for me and pretty standard round here every year.

soberfabulous · 20/12/2023 15:36

We broke up on December 7, I don't know how you are hanging in there until this week!!!