Jon Platt Term Time Holidays

[Seanjd]

Ok, fair enough. Tripe was a strong word, I take that back.

Don't you think that the big summer holiday creates an annual slump that you have to raise yourself out of? I always remember as a kid the joy of finishing for summer, and the despair of starting again in September. Perhaps scrapping the long summer break and turning all half terms into two weeks would standardise the school year a bit more and create an 11 year continuous learning period for kids, making them more receptive to learning rather than the pretty much wasted first few weeks of the Autumn term as kids gradually get up to speed just in time for the Christmas holidays!

I agree with your continuous learning point by sharing the holidays out a bit. The Autumn term is used to get children back on track after 6 weeks of little education. That's talking of where I work, anyway.

There does, however, need to be a longer break between academic years for a number of reasons. Firstly, part of me does believe that children should have the opportunity to be children; and what better time to do it than during an extended break in the summer? Also, in my school, you usually don't spend more than one or two years maximum in the same year group/classroom so there is lots of moving around to keep things fresh. Changing classrooms and year groups genuinely takes weeks of preparation. From kitting out a new room, doing new displays, planning short and long term, etc etc, there's a lot to do. Finally, schools often use this extended break to take on major building work.

 

[GlosBlue]

I have to stick up for teachers a bit here (mainly as I am with one and I now recognise the work they do). They do get a lot of holiday granted but, they work much longer hours than people realise. She leaves for work at 7.30am and gets home at 6.30pm most days. She then does an hour or two planning a night. We usually have to be home early Sunday if we go away weekends so she can do a few hours planning for the week ahead. They are also not allowed any time off in terms at all usually.

I think summer holidays are outdated. They were apparently introduced so kids could help with farm work in the old days and somehow have never changed.

Getting rid as someone said would cut the overpriced holidays, mean that learning could be less condensed so taking kids away for a holiday would have less impact, teachers could spread their workload out better and parents would not have to plan child care for a six week period impacting on their own jobs. Doubt it'll ever change though.

 

[The Cowboy]

I agree with your continuous learning point by sharing the holidays out a bit. The Autumn term is used to get children back on track after 6 weeks of little education. That's talking of where I work, anyway.

There does, however, need to be a longer break between academic years for a number of reasons. Firstly, part of me does believe that children should have the opportunity to be children; and what better time to do it than during an extended break in the summer? Also, in my school, you usually don't spend more than one or two years maximum in the same year group/classroom so there is lots of moving around to keep things fresh. Changing classrooms and year groups genuinely takes weeks of preparation. From kitting out a new room, doing new displays, planning short and long term, etc etc, there's a lot to do. Finally, schools often use this extended break to take on major building work.

Valid points, especially the last one.

The idea of 'letting kids be kids' is a tough one. I have great memories of summer days spent out all day, bike rides, endless football matches, and that's from really young. Today though, my kids (and I'm sure I'm not alone here) have no freedom at all, it'll be years before I expect to be able to let them go off on their own. I think the long summer holiday really doesn't help primary school kids, but it does come into its own a bit more after Y7.

 

[GlosBlue]

I agree with your continuous learning point by sharing the holidays out a bit. The Autumn term is used to get children back on track after 6 weeks of little education. That's talking of where I work, anyway.

There does, however, need to be a longer break between academic years for a number of reasons. Firstly, part of me does believe that children should have the opportunity to be children; and what better time to do it than during an extended break in the summer? Also, in my school, you usually don't spend more than one or two years maximum in the same year group/classroom so there is lots of moving around to keep things fresh. Changing classrooms and year groups genuinely takes weeks of preparation. From kitting out a new room, doing new displays, planning short and long term, etc etc, there's a lot to do. Finally, schools often use this extended break to take on major building work.

Do you not think spreading it over a longer working year would mean kids had less pressure on them and could enjoy their lives a bit more? Not sure I agree it's great as it is. Mind you I did love my summer holidays!!!

 

[Seanjd]

Valid points, especially the last one.

The idea of 'letting kids be kids' is a tough one. I have great memories of summer days spent out all day, bike rides, endless football matches, and that's from really young. Today though, my kids (and I'm sure I'm not alone here) have no freedom at all, it'll be years before I expect to be able to let them go off on their own. I think the long summer holiday really doesn't help primary school kids, but it does come into its own a bit more after Y7.

Haha you want to come and see what the kids get up to outside of schools where I'm at. Most of them are on leccy cigs by year 2.

 

[The Cowboy]

I have to stick up for teachers a bit here (mainly as I am with one and I now recognise the work they do). They do get a lot of holiday granted but, they work much longer hours than people realise. She leaves for work at 7.30am and gets home at 6.30pm most days. She then does an hour or two planning a night. We usually have to be home early Sunday if we go away weekends so she can do a few hours planning for the week ahead. They are also not allowed any time off in terms at all usually.

I think summer holidays are outdated. They were apparently introduced so kids could help with farm work in the old days and somehow have never changed.

Getting rid as someone said would cut the overpriced holidays, mean that learning could be less condensed so taking kids away for a holiday would have less impact, teachers could spread their workload out better and parents would not have to plan child care for a six week period impacting on their own jobs. Doubt it'll ever change though.

Spreading the holiday would also give teachers more flexibility in their own lives, as apart from Bank Holidays, the only time they might take a 4 day weekend with their own families are the Easter, Christmas and Summer holidays.

 

[Kiwi]

Id be banged up after a week having literally lashed a child through a window

Know a teacher that did this right in front of me. Woodwork teacher, absolute looney.
The kid he done it to was a heaving backstabbing cockwomble I still hate even now but still...

 

[chrismpw]

Ok, fair enough. Tripe was a strong word, I take that back.

Don't you think that the big summer holiday creates an annual slump that you have to raise yourself out of? I always remember as a kid the joy of finishing for summer, and the despair of starting again in September. Perhaps scrapping the long summer break and turning all half terms into two weeks would standardise the school year a bit more and create an 11 year continuous learning period for kids, making them more receptive to learning rather than the pretty much wasted first few weeks of the Autumn term as kids gradually get up to speed just in time for the Christmas holidays!

I appreciate you doing that - it had got under my hide! Surprised me that as I have successfully repressed any emotions I have since our last FA cup win.

I don't see a slump after the summer. the first couple of days is a bit slow while they get into their new routines - but then I'd say without exception, the best progress is made in Sept / Oct and into November. After that things like Christmas start to get a distraction, and kids and staff are getting knackered. The spring term is always worst - because after Christmas break everybody is tired/hung over (even some kids)/and run down. After Easter, things get better - it's amazing the effect weather has on kids - but then we're into exams. After May half term very little can get done in our school - because the kids are tired and fractious after the stress of the exams, the staff too. This is why summer term is full of trips - some classes become unteachable. Like I said earlier - there is NOTHING like a long break in the summer to recharge both the staff and the kids. I'm at a good school at the moment - and te kids are generally really good workers, but I've also worked in one of the most challenging schools in the country for 12 years, and that followed pretty much the same pattern.

I know I'm quitting now anyway, but I feel so strongly about this I wrote to my MP several years ago when they were talking about changing the school holidays, and told him I'd quit the day (if) they made that change. If it were down to me, I'd scrap the half terms, and Easter breaks and have them all together starting from May. Like our politicians have it.

 

[COYBL25]

Primary, year 5 I teach. So I have to teach them all subjects. It's hard work but I love it, wouldn't change it for anything else.

Well in mate, that's what parents want to hear.

I've found that my views on education have changed massively since I've had kids.

I don't want mine to make the same mistakes I made in school. I want mine to do as well as they can ( one is disabled but in mainstream education for now ). I don't want them being taught by some burnt out, cynical, going through the motions teacher.

 

[Reidy's Bottle Of Grecian]

There are of course a great many countries that have a much longer summer break with less time off at other times throughout the year. Italians are baffled as to why we take so much time off when the weather is crap.

Ireland have a much longer summer break don't they ?

 

[chrismpw]

There are of course a great many countries that have a much longer summer break with less time off at other times throughout the year. Italians are baffled as to why we take so much time off when the weather is crap.

Ireland have a much longer summer break don't they ?

It's true. As I understand it the UK has fewer school holidays than most of the developed world. Japanese school kids work longer hours - and they also have a high rate of student suicides. - We spend much time lamenting how far behind we are educationally. Then again, workers enjoy fewer holidays too. We also have the most expensive AND the smallest houses in the developed world.

A broken, exploited and ripped off people we are. We used to have football as an escape - but that too has been stolen from us by big business and many are outpriced from enjoying it too.

You've got me down now making me think like that!