Latest news with #LongStrattonHighSchool
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Will Scotland's school holidays change after English pupils get half-term extension?
The shake-up means children are having the autumn half term holiday extended for one particular reason School holidays are often a blessing and a curse for parents and children. While pupils will be happily enjoying the time off until they have to pick up their pen and paper again, parents might struggle for activities to keep them occupied. However, when it comes to holidays, mums and dads might want more leeway to allow them to snap up off-peak travel deals. And down in England, they are accommodating that, with some pupils getting a half-term extension. Certain schools south of the border are granting pupils an additional week off to allow parents to take advantage of "cheaper holidays". The autumn half-term break is being extended from one week to two in a bid to make holidays more affordable for parents. To compensate, the length of school days will be slightly increased throughout the year. Schools leading the change include North Walsham High School and Long Stratton High School, both managed by the same trust in Norfolk. The Enrich Learning Trust, which operates North Walsham and Long Stratton high schools, said: "Having consulted with their school communities, they are planning a pilot of a two-week half-term in October 2025, with the aim of improving attendance in the second half of the autumn term, having had a slightly longer break." So, could Scotland's schools follow suit and have their holidays changed to mimic what's happening down south? Well, in Scotland, each local authority sets its own terms and school holidays. The school year covers three terms and lasts at least 190 days (38 weeks). The school year usually begins in the second or third week of August. There are breaks of one or two weeks in October and at Christmas and Easter. Some education authorities have a short break in mid-February. Schools also have a number of single day holidays, in line with Scotland's system of local holidays. Currently, there are no plans to change Scotland's school holidays, and there have been little changes in recent times. Even during Covid, in December 2020, proposals to extend the Christmas school holidays were scrapped. Fast forward to May this year, proposed changes to school terms in North Lanarkshire were knocked back after a consultation exercise showed strong support for the current arrangements. The first option was similar to the status quo, including the September weekend, one week off in October, and a Monday and Tuesday holiday for the February mid-term break. The other option was one day less at the September weekend, two weeks' holiday in October, and a Friday-Monday holiday for the February mid-term break. This would also have seen the February in-service day moved to January and holidays reduced in December, April and May. More than half said they preferred the first option. However, last month, West Lothian council did agree to revise its term dates for the new school year in 2026-27 after concerns were raised about the SQA exam dates. The changes will see the Easter holiday moved forward, and will also take account of the council election in early May 2027. Taking to North Lanarkshire Council's Facebook when the options were put forward, one parent wrote: "Option B... will make the cost of a holiday much cheaper in October as you will have more flexibility on your dates. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "Shame they don't make the summer holiday one week shorter and keep some of the traditional bank holidays like the September weekend." A second shared: "An extra week in October sounds fine but not when it's taking the other long weekends from throughout the year. A week off of the summer holidays and adding it to October would make more sense to me." A third added: "October is not a good month to have two weeks off. It's cold, it's dark. Kids will be inside and use more energy/electricity/heating. There's more options in April when it's spring. So for me I would leave it as is."
Daily Mail
15 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE What parents REALLY think of the schools which are giving pupils an extra week off for 'cheaper holidays'
Parents have criticised plans to give pupils an extra week off school so they can go on cheaper holidays - saying it will be a 'burden' for those that work full time. Under the controversial new scheme, students will have the autumn half term holiday extended from one week to two. But school days will be lengthened slightly throughout the year to make up for the missed lesson time. Schools spearheading the revolution include North Walsham High School and Long Stratton High School, both run by the same trust in Norfolk. Critics previously attacked the 'ridiculous' changes, warning they are more about 'making life easy for teachers' and are 'dumbing down' education. Now parents at the two impacted schools have weighed in on the row - with some saying they will struggle to organise childcare during the additional time off. James Fraser, 43, who has two children, including a nine-year-old at primary school and a 13-year-old at North Walsham High School, criticised the plans. He said: 'I don't think it's well thought out because of the impact it will have on parents. It will have an impact on many people, including grandparents. 'My youngest one is at junior school and there's been no co-ordination between the schools. 'I'm in a position where, as a parent, I can be flexible, but it's not as if you can go to your boss and say, "Can I work an extra ten minutes in my day and get a week off?" 'This is going to cause too much disruption. It's really hard for some parents. Their time is so compressed and difficult they don't even have the time to fight it.' Meanwhile, Heidi Walker, 48, who owns a vape shop in Long Stratton called JJ Vapes, also warned that parents will struggle to take the time off. She said: 'I would not say I agree with it at all. It's a burden for people who work and have to get childcare.' One parent of two children at North Walsham High School, who didn't want to give her name, added: 'Both my children are at the same school. 'It's not very good for people who have children at different schools. It would be a nuisance.' On Thursday, North Walsham executive headteacher James Gosden said the changes to the school holidays would help parents avoid price hikes by airlines. He said they would also reduce staff absence by giving them a 'better break' during periods with high levels of sickness. Parents had supported the change, Mr Gosden said, with 78 per cent of the 157 families who responded to a consultation in favour. It came as a new survey also revealed that half of frazzled parents want summer holidays to be slashed from six to four weeks and half terms extended. Research by the charity Parentkind found many families think the summer break is too long, and would prefer time off to be spread more evenly throughout the year. Amy Thomas, 40, is a nail technician in Long Stratton. She said: 'I read about this. I know people who have children at Long Stratton High School. 'I personally think they would have been better off taking a week off the six-week holidays and making it shorter, instead of increasing the school day. 'It's quite a long day for children. They've got to spend longer at school now to claw it back.' Helen Moxon, 50, has a nephew at Long Stratton High School. She said: 'My nephew said they're changing the times for school. He didn't say much more. He's nearly 16, so he doesn't talk much. 'They [the holiday companies] will just adjust. 'I don't agree with the whole fining people for kids taking time out of school. If parents have a valid reason they should be able to do it. 'If you're sensible about it, what's the problem about taking them out? The teachers must agree to it now. 'I have friends who are teachers who do say they absolutely must be at school because they need to learn stuff.' One parent, who didn't want to give her name, said: 'I think it's a good idea. But will the holiday people put their prices up?' Julia McDonald, 62, said of the changing term dates: 'I think it's marvellous for people who have school-age children because it can only make holidays cheaper. 'When mine were children it was okay to take them out for a week. We would take them to places like Rome. We took them to The Colosseum. 'It was educational. But they [the schools] started to get very serious about it [parents taking children out of school during term time]. 'I was chair of governors at a primary school and when this [fining parents for taking children out of school] I was against it.' Desislava Hristova, 38, has a daughter at Long Stratton High School. Desislava said of her daughter thinks about the plans: 'She's very happy about it [the longer Autumn term holiday]. I think it's a good idea. 'It will make my life much easier. 'In October, it's better for us to travel and it will make it more affordable to visit family in Bulgaria and Turkey. It will until the holiday companies ratchet up their prices. 'There's a paradox. Kids are on school holidays and travel agencies and companies manipulate their prices and don't give people a choice.' Sam Reynolds, 49, is a mother of two from North Walsham, who has a daughter aged nine at a primary school there and a 12-year-old at the high school. She said: 'We got a letter saying they were going to trial it in October and see how it went and have a two-week half term, instead of a one week one. 'They decided to try it because of cheaper holidays for families and also because there's a lot of sickness when people go back to school. 'I suppose it's just germs everywhere. My girls get colds when they go back to school after the six-week summer holiday. 'It's quite difficult to explain to a nine-year-old why they only get a one-week holiday while their sister gets a two-week holiday.' She said: 'I don't think having longer holidays will affect them. They're at high school and if they want to learn they'll learn. You cannot dictate in high school. 'I'm quite old-fashioned. I don't take my children out of school for school holidays but some people do. 'I think they need to be in school for educational and social reasons. 'I think the fines are quite high. Apparently, the fines out-weight the savings you make on a holiday. 'The travel companies need to address the situation.' Anne-Marie Grinsted, 37, has a daughter in nursery but heard about the changes at North Walsham High School. She said: 'I think it's a good idea. I hope it's in place when my little girl is at school. I think the holiday companies will have changed things by then to charge extra.' But Chris McGovern, the chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, told the Mail: 'We have to ask what's more important – a passport to Majorca or a passport to [children's] futures?' Mr McGovern said decisions about school breaks should be based on children's education, rather than convenience to parents. He said: 'We need to be upping the academic demands on children. This is dumbing down.' He added: 'Children need to have shorter lessons, rather than longer lessons. They get tired during the day. 'They have to provide a minimum number of hours per year, so in theory they could just make days longer and longer and the number of days shorter and shorter. 'Education is not about making life easier for teachers – it's what's in the best interests for children. 'The workload for teachers has been reduced, for example school reports are now AI-generated. In some respects, they have never had it so good. 'It is still a hard job but it's a vocation as well. We shouldn't be changing the school year to fit in with the holiday plans of teachers.' One parent, who asked not to be named, previously complained: 'It's ridiculous. October isn't when most families are taking holidays. 'I was against this because I don't see how it's going to benefit my kids. 'I've also got to make arrangements for them on these days, while teachers get more time off.' Another said: 'Ten minutes a day won't make up for losing a whole week in school. 'And a week either side of the summer holidays would have been better than a week at Halloween.' There was further criticism online, with comments including: 'Are holidays more important than getting an education? 'And who can afford a two-week autumn holiday anyway except teachers?'
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
How much parents will save on holidays at the Norfolk schools offering an extra week off at half-term
Parents whose children are being given an extra week off this autumn half-term for 'cheaper holidays' can cut the price of a trip abroad by nearly 50 per cent. Pupils in some areas are having the break extended from one week to two – with school days then extended slightly throughout the year to make up the deficit. But critics have attacked the 'ridiculous' changes, warning that they are more about 'making life easy for teachers' and are 'dumbing down' education – while claiming parents will struggle to take time off or arrange childcare during the time off. Schools spearheading the revolution include North Walsham High School and Long Stratton High School, both run by the same trust in Norfolk. One of the headteachers claimed the change would help parents avoid price hikes by holiday firms at peak times and reduce staff absence by giving them a 'better break'. But Chris McGovern, from the Campaign for Real Education, said: 'We have to ask what's more important – a passport to Majorca or a passport to [children's] futures?' To analyse the difference, research by MailOnline looked at the comparative costs of going abroad during the autumn half-term later this year of Saturday, October 25 to November 1 - and the extra week for the schools between November 1 and 8. Prices were analysed for a family of four – two adults and two children aged 13, for the cheapest all-inclusive package holiday to Benidorm in Spain for seven days. The biggest difference was with easyJet Holidays, where a trip to the three-star Magic Cristal Park Hotel is £2,143 during the half-term week, or £1,189 the week after. The same hotel was available with Tui for £2,236 in half-term or £1,576 the week after; or with On The Beach for £1,813 in half-term or £1,440 the week after. Separate research by On The Beach has found more children are taken out of school for holidays this week than in any other term-time week of the year. What is the fine for taking your child on holiday in term-time? Parents in England can face paying a fine for unauthorised term time holidays under national rules – although individual councils decide when these should be issued. All schools have to consider a fine when a child has missed ten or more sessions – which equates to five days, morning and afternoon - for unauthorised reasons. Since August last year, the fine for school absences across the country has been set at £80 if paid within 21 days, or £160 if paid within 28 days. But if a parent receives a second fine for the same child within any three-year period, the fine will be charged at a higher rate of £160. Fines per parent are capped to two fines within any three-year period. Once this limit is reached, other actions can be considered such as a parenting order or even prosecution. Someone who is prosecuted and attends court because their child has not been attending school can be fined up to £2,500. It added that term-time breaks are up to £649 cheaper than school summer holidays, despite the threat of an £80 fine for a week's unauthorised absence. The difference was calculated by taking the average cost of all seven-night stays for families with children aged between four and 16 during term time, compared to all holidays during school holidays. Some 443,322 school holiday fines were issued in England for the 2023/24 year, according to the Department for Education (DfE). This was 24 per cent up on the year before, and three times higher than when records began in 2016/17. Zoe Harris, chief customer officer at On the Beach, told MailOnline: 'Time away together isn't a luxury - it's essential for children's wellbeing and learning about the wider world. 'Parents tell us they're fed up of being punished for wanting to give their kids these experiences and for many, the only way they can afford a family holiday is by travelling during term time.' More than 180,000 people signed a petition calling for an end to term-time holiday fines which closed in January, but MPs have not yet debated the issue. Ms Harris added: 'The Government needs to look at ways to support more families so they can afford a break. 'We need a solution that prioritises attendance and helps more families holiday for less, and we're more than happy to start having those conversations with senior figures.' The DfE's position is that evidence has diproved pulling a child out of education for holidays is harmless - and allowing them to regularly miss school can be detrimental to their chances in life. It comes as a separate survey revealed half of frazzled parents want summer holidays to be slashed from six to four weeks and half terms extended. Research by the charity Parentkind found many families think the summer break is too long, and would prefer time off to be spread more evenly throughout the year. Mr McGovern said decisions about school breaks should be based on children's education, rather than convenience to parents. He said: 'We need to be upping the academic demands on children. This is dumbing down.' He added: 'Children need to have shorter lessons, rather than longer lessons. They get tired during the day. 'They have to provide a minimum number of hours per year, so in theory they could just make days longer and longer and the number of days shorter and shorter. 'Education is not about making life easier for teachers – it's what's in the best interests for children. 'The workload for teachers has been reduced, for example school reports are now AI-generated. In some respects, they have never had it so good. 'It is still a hard job but it's a vocation as well. We shouldn't be changing the school year to fit in with the holiday plans of teachers.' Announcing the new school year – which includes adding ten minutes a day to make up for the extra week off - North Walsham executive headteacher James Gosden said: 'Over the past few years, we have had numerous requests for holidays which we cannot authorise. 'This would provide an opportunity for parents and carers to access cheaper holidays.' He added: 'At a time when sickness increases due to the winter months and fatigue, this would add a lengthier break into the longest term to support a reduction in absence – as students would have a greater opportunity to rest and enjoy the break. 'This would also give staff the chance for a better break and ensure less absence, thus minimising cover lessons and ensuring staff are rested, so they can continue to do an excellent job.' Parents had supported the change, Mr Gosden said, with 78 per cent of the 157 families who responded to a consultation in favour. But one parent, who asked not to be named, complained: 'It's ridiculous. October isn't when most families are taking holidays. 'I was against this because I don't see how it's going to benefit my kids. I've also got to make arrangements for them on these days, while teachers get more time off.' Another said: 'Ten minutes a day won't make up for losing a whole week in school. 'And a week either side of the summer holidays would have been better than a week at Hallowe'en.' There was further criticism online, with comments including: 'Are holidays more important than getting an education? 'And who can afford a two-week autumn holiday anyway except teachers?' Another said: 'Public schools have been doing this for decades, they don't think TUI has twigged?' Others supported the plans, with one saying: 'Good idea. My school day was much longer than most high school days at present.' Another commented: 'If 78 per cent of families responded favourably then it sounds like the trust is onto something with this. 'Two weeks for autumn half term makes a lot of sense, especially if the children don't lose any education as a result.' Priestlands School in the New Forest has already introduced a similar scheme, while three others in Hampshire – secondaries Wildern and Deer Park and Boorley Park Primary schools – announced in March they were looking into doing the same. But there was opposition from residents, with one, Stacey Rabbetts, arguing children rely on routine and the changes would 'give them great stress'. Claire Jenkins pointed out if only a few schools extended the autumn half term, there would not be sufficient demand for holiday clubs to take the pressure off parents who have to work and have no other options for childcare. The Enrich Learning Trust, which runs North Walsham and Long Stratton high schools, said there were no immediate plans for the changes to be introduced at its seven other schools in the area – but admitted other trusts had adopted it. A spokesman added: 'Having consulted with their school communities, they are planning a pilot of a two-week half-term in October 2025, with the aim of improving attendance in the second half of the autumn term, having had a slightly longer break. 'It is our understanding that this is something that is being tested by other trusts too.' In April, it emerged another Norfolk school was planning to close early on Fridays to reduce 'financial pressures'. Buxton Primary School said 8.30am to 3pm school days would become 8.10am to 3.05pm. A similar scheme launched at several English schools, particularly Birmingham, in 2019 led to protest marches in Westminster. Today's Parentkind research comes ahead of state schools starting to break up for the summer this weekend. It found that as well as parents, most teachers also support cutting the summer break from six to four weeks, as long as they do not lose the total amount of holiday they get throughout the year. Previous studies have shown pupils regress during the holidays because they get out of practice with their reading and writing. The charity's research is based on its own poll of 3,000 parents and a separate poll of 9,000 teachers by Teacher Tapp. It found that 53 per cent of parents would back plans to reduce the school summer break to four weeks from six and only 33 per cent would oppose this. Many parents would prefer two-week half-term breaks and a longer Christmas holiday. A shorter summer break was seen as a financial positive by 32 per cent of parents, compared with 17 per cent who saw it as a negative. Thirty-seven per cent of parents said a shorter break would be beneficial for childcare, compared with 14 per cent overall who said it would be detrimental. The Teacher Tapp polling found that 62 per cent of teachers would accept a shorter summer holiday, 38 per cent would support it being reduced from six weeks to five and 24 per cent were in favour of it being cut to four weeks. However, 35 per cent wanted to stick with the traditional six weeks, while the remainder gave other answers. Jason Elsom, the chief executive of Parentkind, told the Times : 'While children will no doubt be looking forward to extended time away from school, the long summer break is a challenge for some parents. 'Our large parent poll shows that most parents want to knock two weeks off the six-week summer break to give teachers and children a month off instead. 'Parents tell us that a shorter summer holiday would help with costs and childcare, which would be particularly welcome at a time when some families are struggling to keep their heads above water. 'We need to make sure the long summer break doesn't add further stress and hardship for parents, particularly those on low incomes.'
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Schools will give pupils an extra WEEK off over half term so 'families can go on cheaper holidays'
Schools are giving children an extra week off so that parents can afford 'cheaper holidays', it has emerged. Under the controversial schemes, pupils are having the autumn half term holiday extended from one week to two. School days are then extended slightly throughout the year to make up the deficit. But critics have attacked the 'ridiculous' changes, warning they more about 'making life easy for teachers' and are 'dumbing down' education. They have also warned parents will struggle to take time off or arrange childcare during the time off. Schools spearheading the revolution include North Walsham High School and Long Stratton High School, both run by the same trust in Norfolk. One of the headteachers claimed the change would help parents avoid price hikes by airlines and holiday firms in peak periods and reduce staff absence by giving them a 'better break'. But Chris McGovern, the chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, told the Mail: 'We have to ask what's more important – a passport to Majorca or a passport to [children's] futures? 'We need to be upping the academic demands on children. This is dumbing down.' He added: 'Children need to have shorter lessons, rather than longer lessons. They get tired during the day. 'They have to provide a minimum number of hours per year, so in theory they could just makes days longer and longer and the number of days shorter and shorter. 'Education is not about making life easier for teachers – it's what's in the best interests for children. 'The workload for teachers has been reduced, for example school reports are now AI-generated. In some respects, they have never had it so good. 'It is still a hard job but it's a vocation as well. We shouldn't be changing the school year to fit in with the holiday plans of teachers.' Announcing the new school year – which includes adding ten minutes a day to make up for the extra week off - North Walsham executive headteacher James Gosden said: 'Over the past few years, we have had numerous requests for holidays which we cannot authorise. 'This would provide an opportunity for parents and carers to access cheaper holidays.' He added: 'At a time when sickness increases due to the winter months and fatigue, this would add a lengthier break into the longest term to support a reduction in absence – as students would have a greater opportunity to rest and enjoy the break. 'This would also give staff the chance for a better break and ensure less absence, thus minimising cover lessons and ensuring staff are rested, so they can continue to do an excellent job.' Parents had supported the change, Mr Gosden said, with 78 per cent of the 157 families who responded to a consultation in favour. But one parent, who asked not to be named, complained: 'It's ridiculous. October isn't when most families are taking holidays. 'I was against this because I don't see how it's going to benefit my kids. 'I've also got to make arrangements for them on these days, while teachers get more time off.' Another said: 'Ten minutes a day won't make up for losing a whole week in school. 'And a week either side of the summer holidays would have been better than a week at Hallowe'en.' There was further criticism online, with comments including: 'Are holidays more important than getting an education? 'And who can afford a two-week autumn holiday anyway except teachers?' Another said: 'Public schools have been doing this for decades, they don't think TUI has twigged?' Others supported the plans, with one saying: 'Good idea. My school day was much longer than most high school days at present.' Another commented: 'If 78 per cent of families responded favourably then it sounds like the trust is onto something with this. 'Two weeks for autumn half term makes a lot of sense, especially if the children don't lose any education as a result.' Priestlands School in the New Forest has already introduced a similar scheme, while three others in Hampshire – secondaries Wildern and Deer Park and Boorley Park Primary schools – announced in March they were looking into doing the same. But there was opposition from residents, with one, Stacey Rabbetts, arguing children rely on routine and the changes would 'give them great stress'. Claire Jenkins pointed out if only a few schools extended the autumn half term, there would not be sufficient demand for holiday clubs to take the pressure off parents who have to work and have no other options for childcare. The Enrich Learning Trust, which runs North Walsham and Long Stratton high schools, said there were no immediate plans for the changes to be introduced at its seven other schools in the area – but admitted other trusts had adopted it. A spokesman added: 'Having consulted with their school communities, they are planning a pilot of a two-week half-term in October 2025, with the aim of improving attendance in the second half of the autumn term, having had a slightly longer break. 'It is our understanding that this is something that is being tested by other trusts too.' In April, it emerged another Norfolk school was planning to close early on Fridays to reduce 'financial pressures'. Buxton Primary School said 8.30am to 3pm school days would become 8.10am to 3.05pm. A similar scheme launched at several English schools, particularly Birmingham, in 2019 led to protest marches in Westminster.
