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stop long summer holidays?
A report has been published, saying that the need for long summer holidays is outdated - (They were initially in place so that children could help out on their families farms, harvesting fruit etc) The report suggests five eight week terms with a two week break in between, and a month off in the summer. I think it's a great idea - (as someone who has children, and works in a school). What do you all think?
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I think there is something to recommend it. Do you remember as a kid, how weird it felt to pick up a pen and write, in September (or is this just a me thing)
Kids do 'forget' stuff they had learned in the big gap and it takes a week or two to get back to that point again after the six week break. Plus many get out of hand and get in trouble.
On the other hand, France and the USA have a much longer break than us, and I don't hear them making any moves towards shortening it. - but both countries have extensive networks of summer camps for school-age children.
Is there a danger that we in Britain are constantly seeking to enslave ourselves and our children to a relentless forced march of school-tests-work?
Kids do 'forget' stuff they had learned in the big gap and it takes a week or two to get back to that point again after the six week break. Plus many get out of hand and get in trouble.
On the other hand, France and the USA have a much longer break than us, and I don't hear them making any moves towards shortening it. - but both countries have extensive networks of summer camps for school-age children.
Is there a danger that we in Britain are constantly seeking to enslave ourselves and our children to a relentless forced march of school-tests-work?
Here in France as Lil O'Lady says the summer holidays are longer (over 2 months). Though primary children find this long, those in secondary schools and colleges don't. This is what they've been working up to all year, those blissful 2 months of no pressure, catching up on sleep, friends and family. Teachers love it too and come back refreshed with new ideas etc.
I always thought having 6 weeks in the summer wasn't a good idea. My kids were bored two weeks in.
I thought it might be good to take two weeks off it and put it on the xmas hols.
Schools would not have to waste money on heating, parents would not have to trudge through cold rain and snow on dark mornings, and less chance of kids catching colds. No one likes going out on a cold winter mornings.
I thought it might be good to take two weeks off it and put it on the xmas hols.
Schools would not have to waste money on heating, parents would not have to trudge through cold rain and snow on dark mornings, and less chance of kids catching colds. No one likes going out on a cold winter mornings.
I have to say as a 16 year-old myself that I agree strongly with clarinetgal. I don't think the long summer break is just aimed at younger pupils getting to have a fun holiday, it's also important to older ones who sit exams and need a break afterwards. I can see why parents with younger children who get bored quite quickly would appreciate the change however.
Till they tinkered with it, we used to only get five weeks off at Summer (we're in Lancashire), and that was in July. We were back at school only a week or two after the rest of the country broke up (so cheaper Summer holidays before they put the prices up!).
It's only a week less, but we then got two weeks off in September, which seems better looking back at it, although we didn't know any different at the time, so I can't say what's better for the kids.
They brought us into line with the rest of the country a couple of years ago, which resulted in a nine week Summer holiday as the two systems crossed over. Now that's a long holiday!!
It's only a week less, but we then got two weeks off in September, which seems better looking back at it, although we didn't know any different at the time, so I can't say what's better for the kids.
They brought us into line with the rest of the country a couple of years ago, which resulted in a nine week Summer holiday as the two systems crossed over. Now that's a long holiday!!
I think it's a great idea too crisgal (as someone who has had children and worked in schools like you). As you say it is outdated and unnecessary.
A month is plenty long enough for a summer holiday in the summer! Why should kids or older students expect longer? We all have stress in our lives and need periods of rest, relaxation and play - a month in the summer with two weeks off every 8 weeks would be fantastic. Sorry, kids (and teachers)!
Teachers will generally not be in favour because they are used to their long holidays and reluctant to see them go.
Teachers (and kids) do not work any harder than the rest of us.
A month is plenty long enough for a summer holiday in the summer! Why should kids or older students expect longer? We all have stress in our lives and need periods of rest, relaxation and play - a month in the summer with two weeks off every 8 weeks would be fantastic. Sorry, kids (and teachers)!
Teachers will generally not be in favour because they are used to their long holidays and reluctant to see them go.
Teachers (and kids) do not work any harder than the rest of us.
well said!
I've just had my supervisor round - trying to work out the holiday dates for our pre-school next year.
We can't open when the scool isn't open, but are only funded for 14 weeks per term. All the staff have children of differing ages who attend different schools - who all have different holidays!
What a nightmare!
I've just had my supervisor round - trying to work out the holiday dates for our pre-school next year.
We can't open when the scool isn't open, but are only funded for 14 weeks per term. All the staff have children of differing ages who attend different schools - who all have different holidays!
What a nightmare!
Hi crisgal, I'm in Colne in East Lancs.
The start of the Summer holidays used to coincide with the Wakes Weeks holiday, which around here was the first two weeks of July.
Until they were all standardised, I think each area had its own Summer holiday period based on the local holidays. Perhaps your area's was later in the year, so that's why you didn't have September.
The start of the Summer holidays used to coincide with the Wakes Weeks holiday, which around here was the first two weeks of July.
Until they were all standardised, I think each area had its own Summer holiday period based on the local holidays. Perhaps your area's was later in the year, so that's why you didn't have September.
i think that the summer hols should stay as 6 weeks because kids have their exams from may all the way to july so it's a good time to have a break and relax with your friends.
also if they put 2 weeks in christmas then kids will get bored because they are stuck inside because of the weather but in the summer they can play outside, for example, on the trampoline, football, etc. this will then give them some exercise and will help stop obesity in the uk
also if they put 2 weeks in christmas then kids will get bored because they are stuck inside because of the weather but in the summer they can play outside, for example, on the trampoline, football, etc. this will then give them some exercise and will help stop obesity in the uk
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