@craiggrannell Somehow, the French manage to have four two-week breaks and two months off in summer. In addition, they have far more “bank holidays“ and in the UK. They do just fine.
When I raised my son in France, it seemed normal for kids to get that much time off, to not be overly stressed by school.
@mcelhearn That’s loads. Sounds good. I was wondering about Iceland, but that doesn’t have half terms. So they do two weeks for Christmas/NY, a couple of days in spring, just one week for Easter, but then over ten weeks for summer.
Funnily enough, they don’t have people there arguing kids “forget everything” over the summer. (Although conservatives in Iceland have sometimes argued these holidays should be cut back.)
@craiggrannell No thanks. Whilst managing childcare over the summer holidays is tough, covering two weeks of half-term would a nightmare when both parents are working. At least the summer is one big block and arrangements for summer clubs or family visits can be made to take the edge off.
@craiggrannell UK school summer holidays always seemed so short as it is, vs what we have in ireland (July + August for primary school; June, July + August for secondary).
@craiggrannell I can imagine! I do think there's a lot to be said for a large unbroken stretch of time off. And also agree that time off in gloomy weather ≠ time off in summer.
@craiggrannell The value is that by having more holiday in the winter, they don't need to spend as much on lighting & heating. Parents obviously will have to pay more, but they don't care about that.
(Scottish school summer holidays currently whole of July & half of August, then a fortnight in October)
@HighlandLawyer Mostly, they argue it’s for children’s wellbeing and that they all somehow forget everything over long summer holidays. I’d love to know where this BS keeps coming from, because it keeps bubbling up. At least the govt at this point isn’t going for it. (I imagine the backlash from parents would be severe.)
@craiggrannell Instead of tinkering, I'd be radical: four 10 week terms with a 3 week holiday at the end of each, UK wide - get rid of current four system chaos.
Week 1 starts first Monday in January.
Exam season second term. Most universities would be starting toward the end of third term, so plenty of marking/clearing time.
3/4 holiday periods would be in fair weather.
Term-time only contracts would be easier to sell to employers.
I'm sure there would be cons too, but it's an idea!
@FionaCraig Might work for secondary. But primary kids are basically done by the end of each half term. I can’t see them making it through ten weeks when they barely get through six. And everything would have to join up to at least some degree, which is tricky.
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