AIBU to think the six-week summer holiday should be cut to five?

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Saw that Parentkind's big parent survey this year (over 6,000 parents) found half back cutting the summer break by a week and moving it elsewhere, with only 21% against. 51% said school holidays are financially difficult. Travel groups want the weeks moved to October and February half-terms to spread prices.

Supporters say six weeks stretches budgets and childcare, and a better-spread year would ease peak prices. Opponents say the long break gives families real time together and children (and teachers) a proper rest, and changing it just moves the costs around.

Would you shorten it, or keep the six weeks?

I'm a teacher and I would keep the 6 weeks. Loved having it at home with my kids. I realise I'm not affected financially though as I'm home to do the childcare, so I can see it's very different for me!

Well now we are reminded about how shit the weather is when it’s not summer, I vote to keep it as it is. Yes it’s long, but it’s SO much easier to keep kids happy and entertained when the weather is nice. They can be outside, see friends, go to holiday sports camps without having to wear 59 layers, etc etc and if I have to take time off work to look after them I want it to be when we can be out and about enjoying good weather, not stuck in the house in the rain.

I'd keep it the same, or possibly add an extra week or two in July.

We have 7 weeks next year.

We’re in Notts and a lot of schools here and in neighbouring Leicestershire and Lincs have mixed it up a bit and some schools have 4 weeks off in the summer, 2 weeks in October half term and 2 weeks in February.

If people work and need childcare they still need the same amount of cover but it’s not as much in one chunk but also in the better weather, it’s easier to find free days out at parks and the beach but harder in October and February but it saves on heating for the schools too.

id be in favour of it if our schools did it as 6-7 weeks in the summer is a long time to keep everyone entertained. Also my kids are fine going back but some kids find it really difficult after such a big break.

Our local authority already does, we have 2 weeks in October. We are able to get relatively cheap deals in the week that doesn't clash with the rest of the country so it's great, and I think October is a great time to get some sun before the doom and gloom of winter sets in. I know some councils do 2 weeks in May

I'm from NI, the school summer holidays are generally 8-9 weeks so I find the 6 week break so short, definitely oppose shortening it any further. It's nice to be off when the weather is good to enjoy the outdoors.

When I lived in the UK 6 weeks seemed short. I’m living in Ireland now and we have 2 months for summer hols for primary school children. 3 months for secondary school pupils.

I like the 6 weeks holiday. I would consider a two week half term at October instead as the weather is generally good and the autumn term is so long. I definitely don’t want two weeks in February. The weather is generally awful.

Children need a long break. 6 weeks isn't even very long. Children in Northern Ireland get 9 weeks and in Ireland they get even longer. That feels like a real break for them. Summer holidays are part of the magic of childhood.

Our local council introduced a two week half term at October and we were under the impression that they would be reducing the summer holidays next year but apparently they forgot to consult with the schools. I’m really not in favour of removing a week at the nicest time of year and adding it to October which is more dubious weather wise. I also don’t think it will create any opportunity for cheaper holidays in October as the shyster holiday company’s with just extend their more expensive weeks to cover all possible dates.

Ugh 2 weeks off in February or October? No thanks. Partly because it would be far more difficult for our family set up due to our jobs and partly because who wants to be trapped indoors either at home or spending vast amounts of money trying to keep the kids occupied? At least in summer there’s some chance of it not pissing down with rain and the park/woods/beach is free.

Keep it

Two weeks in Feb is great for those who can afford skiing or winter sun

Bit rough for those of us stood in cold wet playgrounds and looking for activities that won’t break the bank.

I loved the 6 weeks hol, when I was a child and when Dc were young. Had to mix and match childcare with families of Dc friends, we all did our bit, the kids had a ball.

2 weeks in May would be perfect. We already have 2 weeks October so next week and Halloween week

Travel groups want the weeks moved to October and February half-terms to spread prices.

Are they stupid?

Im in Ireland and every year when we get our holidays last week in June I offer up a prayer for the poor teachers in England who have another 2-3 weeks to go. I don't know how ye do it especially like this year when the weather was so beautiful.

Keep the long holiday. It’s one of the great joys of childhood.

No, children benefit from the extended break. We already have far less holiday than many other countries and it's not good for them.

Surely the prices would just go up whenever they out that week? I think six weeks is too short - I grew up getting nine/10 (in the US).

It’s fine as it is.

I don’t want my kids sat in a boiling hot school for an extra week in July and then being at home in wet October! I think with climate change it would be madness unless the schools are fitted with AC. They already missed about 4 days in July this year with the schools shutting.

Exactly. It wouldn’t change prices

Definitely keep it. I had 8 weeks growing up so the 6 weeks already feels short. It's my favourite time of year with the DC 🙂

I would much rather be entertaining my children in summer than a wet autumn.

and I like the long break so it feels like a stop and complete refresh.

holiday prices would only go up in the new dates. Supply and demand.

What I think would be much more productive, than the annual pointless attempt to alter teacher contracts, would be to demand holiday clubs. I attended one as a child and loved it.