- Expert says Scotland’s school holiday pattern leads to loss of learning and fatigue, and harms the welfare of vulnerable pupils
- A change in holiday patterns would cost nothing and benefit teachers and pupils, especially the poorest
- Overall number of days at school would remain the same
The independent, non-party think tank Enlighten has published a paper by former teacher and education leader Gillian Hunt calling for a change in Scotland’s school year. The paper says that Scotland’s school year “no longer meets the needs of children, families or the education system”, and calls for reform based on a four-term school year.
The paper critiques the current school year as “unchanged for over a century, shaped by agriculture and religion”. It states that the holiday pattern, particularly the long summer break:
- Leads to a loss of learning, especially for children in poverty
- Is particularly expensive for working parents
- Increases hunger and loneliness
- Creates fatigue in teachers and pupils during the longer terms
Published as some pupils enjoy the final day of their October break, with others at the end of their first week back at school, Gillian Hunt’s recommendations centre on a standardised October break of two weeks, a reduced summer break of five weeks, and a full week in February for those who do not already receive it.
The full paper can be read here.
Gillian Hunt said:
“The current pattern of the school year in Scotland no longer meets the needs of children, families or our education system. The school year and pattern of holidays have remained unchanged for over a century, shaped by agriculture and religion and do not serve modern society.
“There are several issues associated with the current pattern. Currently there are three long, uneven terms. This results in fatigue for both children and school staff, and challenges curricular planning. The long summer holiday creates a number of difficulties such as loss of learning, holiday hunger, loneliness and maintaining contact with children who require safeguarding. This is particularly significant and damaging for children living in poverty.
“Changing the pattern of the school year is a low-cost educational reform with demonstrable benefits for children, families and the teaching profession, and one which reflects and supports modern life in Scotland.”
Keir Bloomer, chair of the Commission on School Reform said:
“Not all educational reform needs to be costly. In this case, GIllian Hunt’s proposals may even save families money, as well as improving educational outcomes overall. If we are to recover Scotland’s reputation as an educational power then we should start with the basics. Getting the school year right seems about as basic as it gets, and Gillian’s proposals are worthy of consideration by the Scottish Government.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
- Gillian Hunt’s proposal is:
Term 1: 10 weeks (August to October), October holiday – two weeks.
Term 2: 7 weeks (October to December), Christmas holiday – two weeks.
Term 3 part one: 6 weeks* (January to February), February mid-term – one week.
Term 3 part two: 7 weeks (February to April), Easter holiday – two weeks.
Term 4: 10 weeks (April to June), Summer holiday – five weeks.
- The full paper can be read here.
- Gillian Hunt has been an educator for more than 30 years and initially as a primary teacher, holding several leadership roles in schools before moving into the City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) as Leadership and Management Development Officer. Gillian was the first Academic Coordinator of the Chartered Teacher Programme at the University of Edinburgh, and held that role for two years before returning to the Council as Learning and Development Manager. Gillian served as a panel member on the Edinburgh Children’s Panel for five years and led the Scottish Professional Learning Network from 2014 to 2016.
- Keir Bloomer is the chair of the Commission on School Reform was established by Enlighten. Its full membership can be seen at enlighten.scot.
- Enlighten is a public policy institute which works to promote increased economic prosperity, opportunity for all, and more effective public services. Enlighten is independent of political parties and any other organisations. It is funded by donations from private individuals, charitable trusts and corporate organisations. Its Director is Chris Deerin and Alison Payne is the Research Director. Both work closely with the Trustee Board, chaired by Lord McConnell, which meets regularly to review the research and policy programme.
- For Enlighten media contact Andy Maciver, [email protected], 07855 261 244
5 comments
Gillian Hunt
Hi Lorraine, it’s great to hear from parents on this issue and I am keen for all involved to have this conversation about the school year. The main issue for me is that we have a school year pattern shaped by agriculture and religious holidays that is perhaps not suited to modern life and this shows in the challenges we have around loss of learning, holiday hunger, loneliness and childcare challenges due to a lengthy summer holiday, and the fatigue and wellbeing issues due to long uneven terms. Whatever shape the school year has, it will have to balance many factors but always should be shaped with the best interests of children.
Miss Nicola Daly
In Fife we already have a four term year! Terms 1 and 2 are usually around 7/8 weeks long, October break is two weeks and Christmas break is two weeks, term 3 is broken up with the February mid term break which for children is three days (inset day for staff then two days) Easter break is two weeks, term 4 is really the only term without a proper break, there is May and June public holidays and inset days, summer holidays is usually 6 and half weeks with beginning of term being two inset days before children return. Classing this need for a 4 term year without making it public knowledge that many Scottish councils already do this is, in my opinion, creating a political issue, making out that the Scottish education system isn’t fit for purpose. There are many flaws within the education system, absolutely, but this is creating a problem that doesn’t really exist! It’s individual councils deciding how the school year is run, it should be made explicitly clear that many Scottish councils already have a 4 term year!
Roderic Kyle
We in Aberdeenshire have 4 term school years and have for some time now. It looks as though some folk need Enlightening!
Gillian Hunt
Hi Roderic, as you point out some local authorities have something akin to four terms, with two weeks in October. Some have one week at February and others have perhaps 2 days. It’s really helpful to find out about the inconsistencies across Scotland and what works well, where. I was keen to start the debate about what the school year might look like in an attempt to address the issues of learning loss, hunger and loneliness, childcare challenges and wellbeing associated with long, uneven terms and a long summer break.
Lorraine
As a working parent, I find one week in October is plenty time as a lot of families are saving for Christmas or winter break. By adding another week in October you are asking parents to find more money to keep their children happy with fun activities, when they dont have money because they are saving for Christmas. In the summer months at least they can play outside more. I week less in the summer isn’t going to make a difference.