Impact of two week half terms on schools and families
Some schools have introduced two week half terms
Commenting on school year changes ahead of the half term holiday, Lee Elliot Major, Professor of Social Mobility at the University of Exeter, said:
“We shouldn’t underestimate just how exhausting the long autumn term can be for children and teachers. For some children with complex additional needs, the daily demands of school can be particularly intense, and a two-week half term could provide much-needed time to rest and recover.
“This needs to be part of a wider rebalancing of the school year, potentially including a shorter summer holiday, rather than simply adding another week off. We also need to recognise that some children depend on the structure and specialist support that schools provide, while longer breaks can create additional pressures for families.
“It’s encouraging that schools are questioning a calendar that has remained largely unchanged for generations. But rather than allowing changes to happen in an ad hoc way, government should coordinate properly evaluated trials to establish what works best for children’s learning, wellbeing and family life.”
