One in seven state school teachers in England had a two-week October half term this year, according to a survey, as more schools adopt extended autumn breaks.
Survey finds rise in two-week breaks
The survey by Teacher Tapp, which spoke to 8,112 state school teachers in England, found that 15 per cent had a two-week October half term this year. This is up from 12 per cent last year and 7 per cent in 2023.
Leaders have said that many state schools are switching to an extended autumn break to give teachers and pupils more time to 'rest and reset'. Despite the majority of councils in England still running a one-week half term, a two-week break is increasingly being explored by schools and academy trusts.
Academies drive change
The growth in academies, which are independent of councils and set their own term dates, has contributed to the trend. Council-run schools must open for at least 190 days during a year in England, and teachers can be required to work an additional five days for training, usually Inset days.
Some local authorities, like Nottinghamshire and Bromley in London, use shorter holidays to accommodate the two-week break. Many academies have kept other school holidays the same, instead lengthening the school day slightly or reallocating staff training into 'twilight' sessions.
Expert warns of 'postcode lottery'
Lee Elliot Major, professor of social mobility at the University of Exeter, is calling on the government to launch a 'nationally co-ordinated programme of trials' to look into the extended break. He warned of a 'more fragmented system' without knowing whether children are actually benefiting.
He told PA: "My concern is that we're seeing a piecemeal revolution in the school calendar, with individual schools and trusts making changes without a wider strategy. That risks creating a postcode lottery for families, particularly parents juggling childcare and work when neighbouring schools operate different holiday dates."
Union and government respond
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), noted: "The autumn term can be particularly demanding for both pupils and staff, and an extended break may help support wellbeing, motivation and readiness for the remainder of the term."
A Department for Education (DfE) spokesperson said: "Every child deserves a high-quality education, and that begins with being in school. While we stipulate the minimum number of days a school must be open for at least 190 days per year, local leaders and schools themselves are given the flexibility to set school term and holiday dates in the interests of pupils and their parents."
