Random question.

[Silvertap]

After discussion at toddler group today.

1. why does the academic year start in September and not January
2. why do private schools have longer holidays and a longer school day.

Actually that's two!

I understand the academic year ties in with the farming year. When schooling began it was secondary to farming and only took place when farming allowed. Winter is a good time for it as there isn't much farming going on. Summer, particularly around harvest time, is a bad time for school as everyone is needed to bring in the harvest. So the school year started after harvest and ran through to the following summer.

Yes, it's harvest, hop picking and farming seasons for academic year basis.
Private schools is mainly financial. Schools don't cost as much to run when they are not open. Schools can rent out premises when they are empty. Parents and staff like longer holidays and cheaper air fares. It's not likely to change. The argument is the teaching hours are balanced by Saturday school lessons and a longer day.

I think the longer private school holidays and longer days are a tradition resulting from boarding. The original public schools were all boarding schools. Children travelled long distances - often weeks overland and by ship from far flung corners of the globe - and needed long holidays to make going home worthwhile. Longer days make sense in a boarding school. Keeps the children busy and fits the teaching hours into a shorter space of time.

Interesting. My native country starts school year in April. So the summer holiday is actually during the year. I wonder if that's to do with farming as well, but different kind, since staple food is rice.