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Original poster

Changes to holidays - debate on woman's hour

355 replies

fivecandles · 21/07/2011 10:50

Apparently Nottingham LEA is piloting a change to school holidays such that the long summer holiday is reduced to 4 weeks but the half-terms become 2 weeks long so no time lost in total, just redistributed. I think it's a really good idea for all the reasons given on the programme and I'm a teacher. Anyone else got thoughts?

OP posts:
Original poster
fivecandles · 22/07/2011 19:13

No, at the moment you cannot really go abroad during the half-term holidays. It's so hard to get a flight from Sat to Sat or Sunday coming back in time to be ready for school on Monday. It would straight away be possible.

Of course, holiday companies would hoik up prices but they'd never be as high as peak season in summer.

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wheresthepimms · 22/07/2011 19:15

well those of us who can't afford to go abroad and spend our money in the UK can go away in a week. Your main argument is about poor children needing help so family holidays abroad really don't come into it. Or do I need to sack DH and live off benefits so I can holiday abroad

Original poster
fivecandles · 22/07/2011 19:15

You've got 2 more opportunities to go abroad. I know a lot of people would prefer to go abroad if possible when the weather is bad in England and then stay here during the summer holdiays. We would. We'd go away in October or Feb. A lot of parents would do this too.

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wheresthepimms · 22/07/2011 19:18

also if I was going abroad I wouldn't waste my money on a package deal, I would wither drive on ferry, or book scheduled flights (available any day of the week) and then a separate hotel, but that is just because our holidays are about experiencing different things not lying by a beach or pool, maybe that is just our family and the way we like to spend time together

mrz · 22/07/2011 19:20

You've got 2 more opportunities to go abroad. even if you can't afford to go Hmm or want to go Hmm you aren't selling the idea with that argument fivecandles.

Original poster
fivecandles · 22/07/2011 19:20

It's not all well to do families that go abroad. And that's only part of it. We haven't been abroad for the last couple of years but 1 week doesn't even really give you time to visit relatives once you've wound down, done your annual trip to the doctor, dentist and optician that you can't do during term time.

And my argument isn't just about kids from deprived backgrounds.

6 weeks is too long for all kids.

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wheresthepimms · 22/07/2011 19:21

ah mrz we meet again, waves at you from earlier

wheresthepimms · 22/07/2011 19:23

fivecandles you tell me where I can get a cheap trip abroad for 6 of us and I will snap your hand off, even if I have to take DCs out of school either side of half term, saying its about holidays is just clouding your argument

mrz · 22/07/2011 19:23

I've not holidayed abroad for the last two decades and don't have any living relatives other than my children

Original poster
fivecandles · 22/07/2011 19:24

Look, Nottingham thinks that there will be more opportunties for holidays and this will lead to less unauthorised absence. Makes sense to me.

Once again, this isn't my idea. It's the proposal of Nottingham city and has already happened/ is being proposed in other schools and LEAs. For good reasons.

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Original poster
fivecandles · 22/07/2011 19:26

Some people are so self-absorbed.

The proposals are primarily based on making learning more effective for the majority of our students.

More flexibility about holidays is another advantage which might well improve learning if it means less absence during term time.

Education policy isn't or shouldn't be based on the personal preferences of a small group of parents.

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MugglesandLuna · 22/07/2011 19:27

Well my DS is at school in Nottingham (although we live in the county) and I think the idea is a good one. The 6 weeks are too long!

wheresthepimms · 22/07/2011 19:27

having just spent 2 years living abroad I am all done with holidaying abroad for a while anyhow. But in my 1 week half term I can travel over 1000 miles within the Uk to visit DCs friends in Cambs, Suffolk, Norfolk, Wilts,Berks and Cheshire so maybe I am just more organised with my 4 DCs (probably due to necessity with 4). I also fit in all those appointments during term time, after school, sure your work will let you leave to go to the doctors if you are ill will they not.

wheresthepimms · 22/07/2011 19:29

if it isn't based around our opinions why did you ask for them in the first place? Don't ask what do you think then tell us we don't count anyhow as we are only a few people. If you want it based on a majority then we need a referendum

Original poster
fivecandles · 22/07/2011 19:31

The thing about teaching is you can't nip out to do the things you might be able to in other jobs. So, no, having a smear done or going to the optician or even the bloody hairdresser usually has to wait till holidays. And, no, it's not possible to be ill during term time either. I have to schedule being ill, usually the 1st week of the Christmas holidays. Having my car MOT, etc, etc. And you do need time to catch up on marking and preparation.

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Original poster
fivecandles · 22/07/2011 19:32

There's a difference between having an opinion and assuming that one person's personal preferences take precedence over what's best for the majority.

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mrz · 22/07/2011 19:35

Education policy isn't or shouldn't be based on the personal preferences of a small group of parents.
great point!

TheCrackFox · 22/07/2011 19:35

Fivecandles - most people only 5 or 6 weeks off work full stop. I am not accusing teachers of not working hard but they are more able to make appointments for smears, MOTs etc than other professions due to the fact that teachers get a lot more holidays. You can't really nip out and do these things in other jobs either so I am not sure what you are trying to argue there.

Original poster
fivecandles · 22/07/2011 19:36

I'm not complaining about lack of holidays!!! In case you hadn't noticed, I'm saying they're too long.

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TheCrackFox · 22/07/2011 19:38

I am not saying you are arguing about teh lack of holidays - I just didn't understand your point about teachers finding it hard to arrange smear tests. MOTs etc.

Original poster
fivecandles · 22/07/2011 19:38

But the advantages of spreading them out for teachers is one more good reason for doing it.

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wheresthepimms · 22/07/2011 19:39

yes there is and you think that because I express my opinion that is what will happen. Well let me just say that no that is not what will happen but I am entitled to my opinion and if you wish to express yours so are you but you are attacking everyone who doesn't agree with you as people who don't understand what you are saying, how many times have you said its redistributing not losing any holidays. We can all read and we are entitled to our views without you making out we are not understanding you, when we do we just don't agree. You wish to force your ideas on us without accepting that we may feel different, you quote lots of articles saying see, but all studies will prove or disprove what they set out to and I am sure if bothered we could all point to studies too.

I'm off to enjoy my holiday time I think you need to take a chill pill fivecandles, maybe you do need the holidays redistributed if you get this wound up

Daughteroflilith · 22/07/2011 19:39

Not had time to read the whole thread, but surely having 2 weeks in February and October will work against deprived kids. Middle class kids might be taken on holiday, or at least taken out on activities. At least they will have a bigger house, and be less likely to share a bedroom. 2 weeks in a council flat in the rain with no money for things like zoo or museum visits, in cramped conditions, will be much more miserable than a Summer holiday when you can go for walks or play football in the park.

Original poster
fivecandles · 22/07/2011 19:40

The main and most important and only real reason for changing the holidays is the academic advantage to children followed by the social advantages for children and society as a whole. More flexible holidays for families and teachers is just a bonus.

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TheCrackFox · 22/07/2011 19:43

I can't see there being any social advantages. Educationally, maybe.

The holidays will not be more flexible, just a different date, so holiday prices will just go up for the new school holiday dates. A lot of teachers (I know plenty) love the 6/7 week break and would not want to lose it.