Would state school holidays put you off a private primary?

[Keyboardpacifist]

Would a private primary school that follows the state holidays put you off or make it more attractive to you?

School day from registration to end of last lesson is 8.30 - 3.30

Is it too much?

Wouldn’t make any difference to me, and I imagine pretty far down the list of priorities for most. I imagine some would prefer to be the same as state (families with children in both sectors) and those who like the difference (being able to go on holiday outside of term time), but cannot see that making a difference in school selection other than at the margins.

It would actually be a positive for me- I’ve got one in prep and one in state and the prep holidays would be an absolute pain in the arse to manage for my younger one. Childcare can be patchy during the additional time off. It would be lovely if you weren’t working but I don’t really see it as a positive. Now I suspect when they’re older and we can benefit from the cheaper holidays without needing to need childcare.

I've got quite used to the longer holidays now so yes it would put me off. I like having more opportunities to go on holiday, and more weeks for them to do activity camps and days out. Childcare isn't an issue for us.
Before the dcs started I would have been neutral about it. I don't know any families in our prep who have another child in state, it's not a common thing here.

Yes - the only financial benefit left after shelling out for fees is the ability to go away on holiday when it’s quieter. I like the long days but long holidays.

Not if it was a good school. Private school holidays are sometimes a nightmare to get a holiday club for.

However a lot of staff like the private school holiday perk so it could impact recruitment?

I’d prefer state holidays. We’ve just had 9.5 weeks off which was far too much.

It would put me off, definitely wouldnt entertain it.

Friends have their daughters at a local prep, house are essentially 9-3pm so mum cant plan much during the day, after school clubs are extra paid things and private school holidays.
The prep we used was 8-6pm, mandatory after school clubs and could stay a bit later if needed. This worked far better around work and general life and child absolutely thrived.

But all different.

Interesting range of perspectives, thank you. My gut says that private school holidays are what they are because of academic intensity and the slightly longer days and so longer breaks are necessary. This school is independent but non selective throughout (it's just primary), so I wonder whether it has a bit of an identity crisis. It's also possible I'm reading too much into it...

We'd be unlikely to send one to state and one to private. Holiday length impacting organising time off work are problems for me, not for my child, so I'm less worried about that!

Put me off.

It would 100% put me off. Mine have just gone back to their wonderful prep after a blissful 8.5 weeks off and we’ve loved it. My husband and I both work so we’ve juggled AL, family holiday, sport clubs, grandparents and friends/play dates. Yes, logistically, it isn’t easy, but for well-being and joy, it’s incredible.
I used to be a primary school teacher (pre-children) and 6 weeks wasn’t long enough.

Also, we really like being able to go abroad/to Center Parcs when it’s quieter.

Personally I quite like the longer holidays.
School arranges a holiday camp during the weeks outside of state school holidays if you need it, and with the long days (especially if you do clubs, sports and supervision) and intensity of work and homework, I like that DC have the extra time off.

And the bonus of being able to travel 'off-season' is nice.

Private school days are usually longer than state school days. It’s this extra time that is then recouped as longer holidays.

8.39 to 3.30 is only about half an hour per day longer than a state school day.

The hours I mentioned in the OP seem typical for our area. Of our shortlist of 5 local independent schools, all start (morning registration) at 08.30 or 08.35, and all end lessons at either 15.30 or 15.40. So there's no difference to the school day, just this one has far less holiday. Seems a bit of an outlier