What's the educational argument for so many holidays?

[TinTinsSexySister]

Just that really.

Are there any educational benefits to frequent school holidays or are they just an historical hangover? Educationally speaking, would we be worse or better off adopting the US system?

[goinnowhere]

"By the way the Govt should also take the oppotunity to shunt Bank Holidays into the general schol holiday periods so orking parents can use those sensibly on top of annual leave to span the school holidays."

Apart from May Day, they are already.

[goinnowhere]

Those people are expected to manage on 4 weeks' hols a year.

Not 4 weeks though. 28 days minimum inc bank hols, so nearly 6 weeks. Still not masses, but more than 4. Certainly I know plenty who get more than this minimum.

[DadOnIce]

Teachers' pay is worked out on a pro rata basis, so anyone suggesting a reduction in holidays - i.e. an increase in term-time classroom contact time - should bear in mind that they are advocating an increase in the Education budget to cover the additional days teachers will need to be paid for.

Sorry if I keep banging on about this but I do need to spell it out.

[Dromedary]

The extra 8 days is for bank holidays - that was why the number was changed. Very many people get bank holidays (yes employers are allowed to oblige people to take their holidays then) and 4 weeks' annual leave, and that's it. Teachers get 13 weeks, plus those bank holidays that fall outside of school holiday time. So approx 13.5 weeks.

[Morebiscuitsplease]

My children need their holidays. It gives us time to catch up with non school friends. I am perfectly happy with the system and juggle chiildcare in holidays. We read over the summer and my eldest has a few mAths classes. Still plenty of time for fun. She always makes good progress in that first term back.

[Dromedary]

DadOnIce
This whole discussion is more based on what we would like than on what is likely to happen. Still, if the government really wanted it to happen, there are ways and means. Eg no pay increase at all until there is an agreement to reduce holiday entitlement.

[goinnowhere]

One bank holiday outside normal. Sorry to be picky, but it is.

[Dromedary]

There are 2 May bank hols.

[letseatgrandma]

There are 2 May bank hols.

Yes, and the second is included in the May half term.

[goinnowhere]

Yes. The late one falls in half term

I

[goinnowhere]

Anyway, bank hols aside, I really don't want my dc in school more. They are largely under more pressure than we were at school already.

The answer to childcare issues is not more teaching. I would say school premises should be used as childcare bases which might make childcare cheaper and I do think a number of weeks should be subsidised per family.

[letseatgrandma]

The answer to childcare issues is not more teaching.

Well said :)

[Dromedary]

Believe me, several weeks in relatively cheap childcare over the summer is the last thing children need.
As long as it's not your children though.

[goinnowhere]

Good childcare, where they could have fun, do activities, make friends would be preferable tp a summer of lessons.

My dc have done plenty of childcare.

[letseatgrandma]

Dromedary-I would imagine thousands of parents out there would not want their children in a classroom doing lessons all summer. Please don't confuse education with childcare.

[goinnowhere]

Good childcare, where they could have fun, do activities, make friends would be preferable tp a summer of lessons.

My dc have done plenty of childcare.

[Dromedary]

I wouldn't get rid of the summer hols, just make them shorter - 3 or 4 weeks is a good long break, and better for those who are stuck in childcare or on the streets. I would also or alternatively agree with those wanting to even out holidays a bit. Lengthen half terms to 2 weeks - in the spring maybe keep feb half term as it is, but add a week to the Easter hols, shorten the summer hols. The Xmas hols are long enough - horrible weather mostly, v short days. Both in the UK and abroad the weather is a lot nicer in spring and Autumn than in summer, and there wouldn't be a clash with holidaymakers from other countries.

[Wishihadabs]

I agree half terms don't seem long enough. I am lucky enough to work pt, DH works from home 2X a week.For us holiday childcare is manageable, they might get a couple of days in kids club. The kids club is full of children who are there Mon-Fri for weeks on end, frequently the children of single parents (1X 4 weeks leave).

The staff do their best (I have also staffed holiday childcare as a student) but TBH it is hard to keep upwards of 20 children
entertained for 8 hours a day. A more even split would benefit these children the most.

Not my middle class dcs who have a varied and exciting summer.

[FergusSingsTheBlues]

I have NO idea how the average family accommodates summer holidays. It must be a total nightmare if you both work. Summer camps are all well and good if youbcan afford it, but in reality?? How do you cover six weeks?

[ledkr]

fergus the average family would have two lots of leave to utilise. It's single parents who I feel sorry for.

[EvilTwins]

Drom - I don't get how your model would help you. Shorter summer but longer Easter and half terms? You'd still have to cover it

Why do these threads always end up coming down to "teachers get too much holiday"? It's not as if teachers make the rules.

[jellybeans]

Some people need a long summer break. DC have friends with family in India, Australia and Bosnia. They need several weeks to see family as the other holidays are too short for long haul and seeing all their relatives who may live a long way apart.

It seems the main reason people want them shortening is for childcare reasons. That is the wrong reason to change things.

[ReallyTired]

I don't think that the school year should be lengthened just because some children have to spend 10 weeks a year in second rate shitty and expensive childcare.

Surely the answer is to improve the quality of childcare rather than increase the amount of school.

[Dromedary]

EvilTwins - the children get less bored with holiday club or hanging around the streets with nothing to do if it is spaced out. I also think, bearing in mind everyone not just me, that it is better to have a number of medium length breaks, than one long one and the others short. I also much prefer the weather in Spring and Autumn - less worrying about suncream, getting too hot. It would also mean better prices and fewer crowds for those who go abroad (which we can't afford to), and probably also in the UK, as some would take their main annual holiday in the Spring, some in the Summer and others in Autumn.

[Dromedary]

Reallytired - people can only do so much if they are charging at the lower end of the market.