Gove says lengthen school days and shorten long summer holiday

[juneau]

Here: www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-22202694

I think it's a great idea and I'm sure working parents will welcome it. I also think it's bollocks that teachers need the six week summer break to recharge their batteries. Do they work harder or longer hours than other workers who only get four or five weeks a year then?

Having just endured a bored DS1 over the Easter holidays I think any break of more than two weeks is actually pretty dull for kids and I'm sure poorer kids really suffer from lack of stimulation and/or money to do stuff.

Ill be gutted if they do that it's the one time of the year I feel truly relaxed. I work part time but love the break from routine.

I would argue that it's a parent's responsibility to get involved with homework to support the wider learning of the child. Especially for early years and KS1-2.

A supervising adult just would not cut it in secondary school. I can't see secondary students buying into that at all.

There is surely actual evidence to be cited on the correlation (or lack of it) between number of hours in school and academic attainment? Not that Gove ever bothers his head with such trivia as evidence. I know there is because its always being cited in Ireland in support of our short days and long holidays. my eldest daughter starts school in Sept and her school day is 8.30-1.10 for first two years, Ad then until 2.10 until she goes to secondary. 2 weeks at Xmas, 2 at Easter, 8 in the summer. 3 half terms. Seems ok for a 5 year old to me, although a pain in the hole for parents. Outcomes aren't at Finnish levels, but certainly aren't bad for a horribly underfunded system with large class sizes.

I'm afraid that educational attainment is about attitudes, desire to succeed, support of various kinds, social equality, capacity for discipline, ability to wokr with others, as well as innovative, good teaching. The things that help a child succeed aren't just taught in a classroom, and can't be learned if that's the environment the child is in all the time.

As a full time working parent can I just say that I think this is a really shit idea which I would not welcome at all.

We have a 2 week October halftime and we really like it. We get a slightly shorter Summer holiday which suits us too.

I really dislike the idea of a longer school day, I had my DC to spend time with them, not for them to be at school till 5 or 6 o'clock at night.

GoblinGranny - True. By that age they will just be mini robots, programmed to it all I guess.

The MP comment was in response to a comment about their holidays. And there will be teachers who earn more than them.

Actually I'm all for this idea though it won't happen because there's no money to fund it. But for me school hours are a major problem and I don't look on this time as time I could have with the DCs because I'm at work anyway. As for the DCs needing a rest I end up packing mine off to holiday clubs and stuff so there is no long relaxed six weeks of us all at home anyway.

Schools sitting empty for weeks on end as ours does is a huge wasted resource and we could do something more imaginative with them after school and during hols. No fan of Gove especially but I do like the idea of doing something more practical than we have now.

And of course with the removal of experienced TAs and the introduction of unqualified teachers then I am sure all our children will benefit hugely.

Bad idea, holidays and school day fine as they are. And yes I agree with noblegiraffe

drjohnsonscat But what about the children who do get to go home earlier with parents and who get to enjoy a relaxed holiday at home with family? Why do they have to sudden;y be forced to be in school longer hours?

It is childcare facilities that are required to enable working parents t cover holidays. If so, then that is what should be looked at -- optional child care for working parents. OK, use school buildings if you like. Makes sense to use them. Get trainer play workers and holiday club assistant, and encourage qualified sports teachers and drama groups, etc. to work in them.

And then those who need additional child care - well fine, it can be there. It can be paid for by those who want/require it and used by those who want/require it.

But why do all children have to be forced to do longer hours and shorter holidays just because some parents require it?

DrJohnson I don't pick ds up until 5.30 either but I wouldn't want him to spend that additional time in school just because he isn't with me. When it comes to September I want him to be somewhere, probably a childminder, where he can relax and play, not in formal learning for the extra hours.

School hours in China

No I wouldn't want extra formal learning either. But schools also have play facilities. I'd be happy with some stories read, a runaround in the playground, some football coaching, whatever. Just using the resources we have and acknowledging what families are dealing with.

What a way to turn kids off education. Hopeless idea with no thought or planning, completely unaffordable and unfeasible for teachers.

But then I suppose I don't work on a Saturday (usually).

drjohn

what makes you think that all schools are empty during the holidays?

DrJohnson many schools offer that provision already as an after school club.

My school has an after school care which offers much of that til 5:30 I think. There are also heavily subsidised sports clubs at the school twice a week, plus a couple of language clubs.

That's why I said "as ours is".

Lots of schools are pretty rubbish at this and could do a lot more but don't have to.

sorry :)

I don't have much to add, everyone has said it's a shit idea.

Gove is a self-serving prick.

it is necessary for the tories to structure society in such a way as all the workers can be available to make the rich elite and powerful ..more rich, elite and powerful.

Do not agree with proposals at all; children have enough pressures on them without making them attend school for even longer lengths of time.

ps. it does get on my tits the way most teachers deny the awesome holidays - its a perk of the job - great - fabulous. i dont want that job despite the holidays and good pay ( considering the holidays)

How long before this government announces that anyone with school age children in the state system will be required to pay an additional 'education tax?'