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mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

Should half-term holidays be banned? Is a week too little time to recharge the batteries of children?

Some people argue that now time has moved on, and so should the school holidays. Instead of half-terms, longer two week breaks would be at the end of eight week terms. This is just one of the ideas suggested.

But what do you think? Would your children be better off without half-term, and would you? Tell us your thoughts by emailing us, or click on the chat button.

It would help as some children do forget what they have done after the long 6/7 week summer break. I also think the holiday companies should reduce their holidays as parents are not really allowed to take their kids out of school when there isn't a holiday.

Toggy tea slurper · Guest

Behind Geddon's Wall · Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 9:50 am Post subject:

I'd rather have 6 weeks of not being plagued by the school run as I valiantly try, and occasionally fail, to cross Hull City centre in less than 20 mins.
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gfloyd · Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 1:18 pm Post subject:

This is just an administrative question. They will still go to school for the same number of days. How they arrange those days is their own business & each school should be free to decide. Do we need everything to be decided by some bureaucrat?
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dottie-may · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 56

Well speaking as a Teaching Assistant who is obviously tied to school holiday dates - they are a double-edged sword.

I quite enjoy having a long summer break (and can I just emphasise that I don't get paid for it!! I get five weeks paid holiday as I've worked for more than five years, plus bank holidays) but of course, then I have to pay through the nose for the privilege of being tied to late July/August. I'm not allowed to take time off during term-time.

However, I knew all that when I took the job, it suited me when my children were at school and I'm not complaining now.

I work in the Primary sector and believe me, after a 7 week term the majority of the children are more than ready for a break.

It doesn't matter how school holidays are arranged - tour operators and holiday companies will just extend their peak season rates - they have a captive customer base. Schools are trying to crack down on children being taken out during term-time but who can blame parents if they can save several hundred pounds?
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