Schools to give kids extra week off so parents can afford ‘cheaper holidays’

Some schools are giving children an extra week off so that parents can afford “cheaper holidays”. But the move has sparked fury among some parents and education campaigners

Certain schools are granting kids an extra week’s break to help parents bag “cheaper holidays”. The autumn half term holiday is being stretched from one week to two in a bid to make getaways more wallet-friendly for parents.

To balance the books, school days will be slightly lengthened throughout the year. Schools leading this innovative approach include North Walsham High School and Long Stratton High School, both managed by the same trust in Norfolk.

However, Chris McGovern, the chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, questioned the priorities, asking the Mail: “We have to ask what’s more important – a passport to Majorca or a passport to [children’s] futures?”.

Mr McGovern argued: “We need to be upping the academic demands on children. This is dumbing down.”

He further stated: “Children need to have shorter lessons, rather than longer lessons. They get tired during the day.”, reports Birmingham Live.

“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.”

He pointed out that: “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.”

North Walsham executive headteacher James Gosden stated: “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.”

However, one disgruntled parent expressed their disapproval to Mail Online: “It’s ridiculous. October isn’t when most families are taking holidays. I opposed this because I fail to see how it’s going to benefit my kids.”

Moreover, the parent pointed out: “I’ve also got to make arrangements for them on these days, while teachers get more time off.”

A representative from The Enrich Learning Trust, which oversees North Walsham and Long Stratton high schools, explained: “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.”

They further clarified: “It is our understanding that this is something that is being tested by other trusts too.”

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