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BreakingNews.ie
a day ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
‘A chance to take a break': McEntee defends length of school summer holidays
The Education Minister has defended the length of schools' summer holidays, saying they offer people a chance to 'take a break'. Helen McEntee acknowledged that it was a challenge for parents in need of childcare, and any decision on changing the length of the school year would require a considered approach. Advertisement There has been some commentary in recent weeks that the length of the school holidays – three months for secondary schools and two months for primary – are out of date, as Ireland has some of the longest school breaks in Europe. Visiting a Clondalkin primary school on Thursday, where children were taking part in a summer programme for two weeks, Ms McEntee said: 'I'm here in a school where you have principals, teachers, SNAs, who are working and supporting children throughout the summer. Education Minister Helen McEntee at St Mary's Junior National School in Clondalkin, Dublin (Grainne Ni Aodha/PA) 'We've always had a particular time period for school holidays. 'What we find, particularly for our secondary schools, is that they're actually coming back earlier now, in August, so the Leaving Cert results will be out from the 22nd, some students are actually in that week and, in fact, the following week is when a lot of schools are coming back. Advertisement 'Our teachers work hard, our schools are very active throughout the year. I think the time that's taken throughout the summer gives everybody a chance to take a break.' The children at St Mary's Junior National School learn literacy and numerical skills, and how to bake, as part of the summer programme, which gives educational support to children, including those with special educational needs. They can also paint in the school's outdoor wooden classroom, called the sun room, which was funded by the Arts Council. Ms McEntee said 1,800 schools are taking part in the summer programme this year, including 80 special schools, a 16% increase on last year. Advertisement Helen McEntee (seated centre) acknowledged that it was a challenge for parents in need of childcare (Grainne Ni Aodha/PA) Asked if the activity of the summer programme suggested the summer break was too long, she said the programme initially began 'with a particular emphasis on special education'. 'For children with additional needs, to have that structure and to have that focus, is really, really important. 'And I think there was an acknowledgement that to have that extra support throughout the summer is something that would be hugely beneficial, not just for the students, but also for the parents. 'It's obviously since expanded, it's not just a focus on special schools or additional needs, it's a focus on our DEIS schools, making sure that where children – and it's not all children that access the programme – but if there is that need there to have that extra support, that structure throughout the summer, it's there. Advertisement 'It's also fun. 'I do acknowledge, I have to say, the challenges for parents when it comes to childcare, when it comes to the fact that in many households you have both parents working now full time, so the summer does pose challenges. 'But you know, I think any changes to summer breaks, any changes to holidays, that's something that would always have to be considered in engagement and consultation with schools, with teachers, with parents, with families overall.' Ms McEntee also announced a National Convention on Education, to inform a long-term strategy for primary and secondary education in Ireland. Advertisement Professor Anne Looney, who will chair the convention, said in a statement she was looking forward to being involved in ensuring 'we give our learners and those who work with them the best opportunities to flourish and succeed'.
Daily Mail
18-07-2025
- 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.'
