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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Winniespooh · 20/12/2023 16:20

Ours finish lunchtime Friday. She's been a nightmare for the past week. Everyone's knackered. It's annoying because everything is closed the week after Christmas, even the usual kids clubs aren't open so we're winging it. There's loads of nice festive stuff we could have done but we've run out of weekends in December, an extra few days before Christmas would have been lovely!

MsJuniper · 20/12/2023 16:20

It has felt very long - everyone is tired and sick - and I am worried about covering the curriculum next half term (Y3 teacher) as it will only be 5 weeks! I did consider starting next term's curriculum this week but I decided it wasn't going to work. We had a panto trip a couple of weeks ago but otherwise we are expected to teach and follow a normal routine until the last day. This afternoon we did make Christmas cards which was the first non-academic activity we've done. Tomorrow is carols and a party! I still have a lot of data to input so I am trying to get that done now (well, clearly not right now!)

I'd have preferred to break up today or even yesterday and return on the 4/5th but it will be nice to have some family time after Christmas so I will take it as it comes.

velvetoptions · 20/12/2023 16:26

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.

but showing Disney Cars to teenagers at school?

CharismaticMegafauna · 20/12/2023 16:33

Primary school breaks up on the 22nd for us, back on the 9th January. Then they break up for half-term on 9th February!
It's so close to Christmas - I'd rather break up today and go back on 3rd/4th Jan.

Sunandsea26 · 20/12/2023 16:34

I don’t think it matters when they break up, end of term in relation to the last half term is savage regardless. Mine broke up last Friday but they were also savage in the last week or two. Couldn’t wait for it to end! I am guessing it’s cos we had an earlier half term. I don’t blame you counting down.

Curlewwoohoo · 20/12/2023 17:12

Mine are Friday too, which means DH and I are both still working - starting to worry about lack of time to get Christmas ready, really only have Sunday!

CatCrazyMamma · 20/12/2023 17:16

I’ve actually welcomed the late finish, mine break up tomorrow and Friday so it means I can get the last few bits of shopping done, do a food shop and wrap their presents up without having them under my feet all the time. Plus my Mum has been ill since she got back off holiday so wouldn’t have been able to help with my DC had they broken up sooner. Mine have been excited but not feral (yet!) which has been helpful for me.

ShipshapeShore · 20/12/2023 17:20

I'm a TA and we finish at 3.20 on Friday after a 9 week half term. Children and staff have completely had enough! Everyone is either exhausted or ill. Or both. And we have so much on this week with trips out and baking etc 😭. I can't wait til Friday

phoenixrosehere · 20/12/2023 17:25

I rather have the Friday than today tbh.

PandaCory · 20/12/2023 17:40

My kids schools broke up yesterday and go back on the 4th. They are both ill today and wouldn't have made it into school anyway (youngest was off Monday and Tuesday too).

PeloMom · 20/12/2023 17:43

Yeah I pulled mine out of school after Monday. He’s sniffly but also the last week or so has been super miserable at school, refusing to eat there and even drink water as he’s too sad. He won’t miss out on coloring and drawing for a few days. But yes, by 8th Jan I’ll be more than ready for him to go back 🤣

Mariposistaa · 20/12/2023 17:44

Doctors, office workers, those working in retail, cleaners, police officers - are ALL knackered. And not all will get a nice 2 week break!

Soubriquet · 20/12/2023 17:45

Mine broke up today and go back on the 3rd. Feels ideal to me

velvetoptions · 20/12/2023 17:46

Mariposistaa · 20/12/2023 17:44

Doctors, office workers, those working in retail, cleaners, police officers - are ALL knackered. And not all will get a nice 2 week break!

anyone saying otherwise? 😐

Thementalloadisreal · 20/12/2023 17:49

I prefer it this way. The house stays relatively tidy and under control until Xmas then they get a decent chunk of time off to play with all the new toys.

Simonjt · 20/12/2023 17:51

Not in the UK and ours break up on Friday, here school holidays are a bit shorter with a longer summer and the autumn term always has 9 weeks from the half term break until christmas, last year schools broke up on 23rd December.

Callipygion · 20/12/2023 17:52

I much preferred the schools to break up later and nearer to Christmas (when mine were at school) - less time at home to be hyper waiting for the big day, and more time after to play with their toys and games.

PS schools round here are breaking up today.

sHREDDIES19 · 20/12/2023 18:00

Mine finish up tomorrow but the last week is full of discos, crafts, films, church visit etc so lots of fun for the kids and an appropriate build up to Christmas. I personally prefer the extra time after the big day as they have time to relax and enjoy their presents. Not much point having the time off beforehand?

YouAndMeAndThem · 20/12/2023 18:03

Mine break up on Friday which is great as I am finished work tomorrow and I've had time to do all the last min shopping without two bored little tag-alongs.

Luckyduc · 20/12/2023 18:09

Won't they just be bouncing off the walls in your house tho and annoying you when you've a ton of stuff to crack on with?
Tho...I'd have rathered they had an extra week before christmas than a week into January so it could be out to better use of festive days out. Noone wants to go anywhere at the start of January.

MalcolmsMiddle · 20/12/2023 18:12

Whilst the drag to the end has certainly been a drag, keep in mind you'll have longer with them after the event enjoying their presents and not being bored. Most schools round here broke up a week earlier last year and it was just bored kids for a week then back to school too soon.

A Wednesday to Wednesday break seems the most logic but apparently attendances decline when its only a part week.

tealfluff · 20/12/2023 19:25

Ours break up late every year. I prefer it, as it being at school makes the days go quicker for them in the build up to Christmas, and it gives them lots of time to play with their new toys afterwards.

PumpkinPie2016 · 20/12/2023 19:40

It's the same here- DS primary and the secondary I teach at both finish Friday.

Everyone is exhausted as it's been an 8 week half term. My school is also normal lessons until Friday so I am currently trying to teach fairly complex things to exhausted kids 🙄

Friday honestly can't come soon enough. Also trying to finish Christmas prep too!

That said, we don't go back until the 8th so that will be nice. I do like having a bit of extra time after plus DH is working away 5-7th Jan and me still being off makes life easier.

Asparagus1 · 20/12/2023 19:56

I work in a preschool, we finish tomorrow and go back on the 8th. My 6yo and 15yo finish Friday. I’m glad to be honest because I’ve got loads to do!

wonderingwhatlifemeans · 20/12/2023 19:59

We break up tomorrow and I can't wait. I love my class but we have all had enough now! We are going to be colouring in and finishing off watching Sing tomorrow then crawling home!

I then go to my family and Christmas starts although it will have to incorporate some sleep as I am shattered. We don't go back until the 8th which will give me a week to plan. Such an exciting life I lead.