Schools are giving children an extra week off so that parents can afford ‘cheaper holidays’, it has emerged.
Under the controversial schemes, pupils are having the autumn half term holiday extended from one week to two.
School days are then extended slightly throughout the year to make up the deficit.
But critics have attacked the ‘ridiculous’ changes, warning they more about ‘making life easy for teachers’ and are ‘dumbing down’ education.
They have also warned 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 airlines and holiday firms in peak periods and reduce staff absence by giving them a ‘better break’.
But Chris McGovern, the chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, told the Mail: ‘We have to ask what’s more important – a passport to Majorca or a passport to [children’s] futures?
Under the controversial schemes, pupils are having the autumn half term holiday extended from one week to two. Pictured: Families on a Spanish beach
Schools spearheading the revolution include North Walsham High School (pictured) and Long Stratton High School, both run by the same trust in Norfolk
‘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 makes 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.’
North Walsham High School executive headteacher James Gosden said the extra week off at autumn half term would enable families to have ‘cheaper holidays’ and give tired teachers a ‘better break’
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.’
Long Stratton High School, which is run by the same trust, has also adopted the scheme, which is extending school days by ten minutes throughout the year to make up for the extra time off
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.
