Two-week Half Terms: The School Holiday No One Can Agree On
BBC News explores the debate around two-week half terms and their impact on families.
The Situation
Samantha Buckland, a single mum from Reigate, Surrey, faces a challenging fortnight as her seven-year-old son's state school introduces a two-week half term. She works two jobs and receives universal credit, raising concerns about childcare costs and her ability to work during the school closure.
Challenges and Concerns
- Childcare Costs and Availability: Buckland struggles to find affordable childcare options for both weeks, with a local holiday club offering coverage for only one week.
- Work-Life Balance: She considers creative solutions like family help or staying with another mum to share childcare responsibilities.
- Fragmented School Calendars: The introduction of two-week half terms creates a patchwork of term dates, particularly with the rise of academies, leading to challenges for working parents.
Two-Week Half Terms in England
While most English councils stick to the traditional one-week half term, some, like Nottinghamshire, Bromley, and the Isle of Wight, have adopted a two-week break starting in 2026/27. However, Surrey County Council, after switching to two weeks, decided to return to one week due to head teachers' concerns.
Devolved Education Systems
Education in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland operates independently, with varying academic calendars. Wales shelved plans to adopt a two-week autumn half term in 2024, while some schools in Scotland and Northern Ireland have already implemented it.
The Impact of Academies
The growing number of academies in England, now accounting for 60.4% of pupils, leads to a fragmented school calendar, making it harder for parents to coordinate childcare during different term breaks. Alistair Pringle, a parent in Tyne and Wear, deals with this challenge with his children attending academies with contrasting half term schedules.