question about history of school holidays

[memememum]

Does anyone know if English state schools have always had half term holidays? They did in the eighties but a friend of mine is adamant that it was only brought in sometime in the seventies or early eighties along with comprehensives.

I started school in 1964 and there were half terms back then in England.

I don't know about 'always' - but they certainly did in the time you are talking about.
I started teaching in the 80s, and they did then, and had throughout the time I'd been a pupil at school myself, so going back to the 60s.

Historically, there were more regional variations, according to where children were needed to work - eg harvestimg in the fields. Also whn the local industry had their 'industrial shutdown. So, in Stoke area, they had (have?) 2 weeks in Summer 1/2 term as it co-incides with the Potters holiday, so that's the same 2 wekks that majority of adults working in the area would get their holiday.

They abolished Potters Holiday the year I started at 6th Form - (1991?). It caused uproar at the time

I'm sure my parents & grandparents talked about Wakes & Potters holidays which coincided with half terms.