Bring forward School Summer Holidays by 4 weeks.

At the moment I think it is clear that most parents are anxious about their children returning to school when its too early and placing teachers and support staff at risk. To return children too early could cause more harm than good.
I would ask/suggest that the possibility of bring the school holidays forward to commence on 1st of June with an earlier return date be considered.
This could work in 2 ways, the first 4 weeks of return could be used to transition children and ready them where required. Nursery and P7 children would return for 4 weeks and then transition to their new year/school for the middle of August. This would allow more time for adjustment. Those who are in critical years like S3 this gives them 4 weeks that they have missed to work on the curriculum needed for their year.
It would also support in allowing more time for planning and avoid any further disruption. Additionally some pressure could be taken off parents and teachers who are multitasking in working and home schooling whilst in isolation. Allow this to be holiday time and help ease the pressure.

By bringing the holidays forward teachers would still receive the time off they are entitled to, schools would return when it is likely to be safer in terms of more thought out measures in place to support any social distancing that will be required at that time.

We are rushing to make something work that is not currently fit for purpose, take the step back, plan effectively.


Why the contribution is important

It allows a more proactive and planned approach, it enables additional time to view teachers and parents concerns.
Currently we are being too ridged to a school timetable for holidays, we are not asking that this is a permanent change, but for one year in these unprecedented times lets look at a model that may support and allow teachers and pupils to catch up on what is needed.
Currently children are not being supported as they should, teaching is inconsistent across authorities, parents are inconsistent as need to manage in differing circumstances. If we halt the school year now, allow teachers and pupils to be on holiday until mid-July it lets everyone take that break and re-group with a formalised strategic approach.

by LynsGra86 on May 05, 2020 at 01:46PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.2
Based on: 35 votes

Comments

  • Posted by Fifer72 May 05, 2020 at 14:10

    No, a silly idea. Teachers have made plans with their families for the summer holiday period whether they are going away or not. For example partners have booked time off to coincide with the school holidays, your proposal screws that up.

  • Posted by June May 05, 2020 at 14:14

    Makes sense to move the holiday period and then get kids back to school as quickly as is safe to do so.

  • Posted by Carole64 May 05, 2020 at 14:16

    Bringing the holidays forward is a very sensible suggestion, however only if we return to school earlier.
    I see little point in trying to put measures in place for what would be a 4 week period in the lead up the end of June. This would give time then for a structured, safe return at the beginning of August.

  • Posted by marianmorton May 05, 2020 at 14:40

    Very good idea.

  • Posted by martinmac100 May 05, 2020 at 14:58

    The issue is that kids need school now and parents need work now. Bringing the holiday forward just prolongs the social and economic agony most families are going through. Extending the term into the school holidays would be a better idea. Teachers are on full pay throughout the summer holidays, whilst private sector workers are either furloughed or worse, redundant.

  • Posted by Afoggo May 05, 2020 at 15:36

    A very good idea.

    Workers are needing to be flexible to adapt to this new normal. Teachers should also be willing to accommodate changes as we all adjust to the new normal.

  • Posted by Lisaharr86 May 05, 2020 at 20:44

    One problem not with op but with the idea that teachers are paid for their holidays. They are not. They have their wages divided into 12 to COVER the months without wages. But teachers are paid for 45/46 weeks of the year and the other weeks are not paid. So if they were to open schools during the summer holidays then teachers would need to be paid for this. Many teachers gave up their easter holidays completely to support in hubs or online learning.

  • Posted by Kirklistonjohn May 06, 2020 at 02:21

    Remote teaching should be increased but be more focused and teacher led - especially create the opportunity for one to one video links for tutorials between teacher and pupil.
    This would take the weight of parents especially key workers and those working at home and tap in to the vast teacher at home resource.

  • Posted by Scotland_is_flatlining May 06, 2020 at 09:25

    Shelving normal school holiday arrangements in the these exceptional circumstances will enable schools to start to return at the right time when the scientific evidence would support such action.

    It will free up employees to be able to return to work at the right time.

    Holidays and unnecessary travel are low priority and on hold.

  • Posted by Scotland_is_flatlining May 06, 2020 at 09:26

    It will help pupils recover the time out as a result of lockdown.

  • Posted by catmac May 06, 2020 at 14:35

    Agree with early summer holidays. I think holidays starting June , beginning phased return with mix of time at school, remote tutorials, and online learning. To the person who commented that it would screw up teachers holidays - try telling nhs frontline staff who have given up their holidays, given up their days off and in over a hundred cases , lost their lives, that teachers need their holidays protected. Everyone has to take their part in finding a solution and bleating about holidays is not helpful.

  • Posted by islajsmillie May 07, 2020 at 13:50

    Teachers have specific contracts, and are fully entitled to their contracted holidays.... moving the holidays is not an option. Many teachers will have had to juggle childcare, teaching their own kids as well as E learning and most are taking their turn at manning the Hubs.

  • Posted by Daddy_Daycare May 07, 2020 at 16:13

    This is a good idea however I can see there will be challenges with moving the school term dates. As an alternative my suggestion would be to open the summer holiday clubs that are registered with the Care inspectorate and therefore will follow the COVID-19 operating guidelines.

    Only a small percentage of the children in Scotland attend summer holiday clubs so it is a low risk move from the governments point of view and if the settings were made to use the track and trace app sickness could be monitored and dealt with promptly to avoid spread. Summer holidays are 7 weeks long which is plenty of time to gather feedback on infection rates, see which preventative steps work and which need adjusting. That feedback which could then be given to schools to ensure when they open they are as safe as possible.

  • Posted by Frosy87 May 09, 2020 at 08:20

    Teachers are being flexible. Who is setting the home learning for your children now? Who is supporting and responding to them. How is in the key worker hubs looking after children? Who is checking on the children and raising concerns? Teachers are still working.
    Teachers take their pay over 12 months. They don't get paid for summer holidays. I totally agree with being flexible and would work to find a solution. But if you ask teachers to work through their holidays, you are going to have to pay them, and ask them.
    Most people will have made plans and booked for summer away. It is impractical to change this. We must be careful that schools have sufficient space and equipment to ensure safety.

  • Posted by SAR May 10, 2020 at 15:55

    When was it announced that it would be safe for staff and pupils to return at the start of August ? I must have missed that
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