As parents in England complain that the six-week summer holiday is too long, with some backing a reduction to four weeks, it is worth looking at the continent, where breaks are even longer. In France, school summer holidays last eight weeks, while in some regions of Italy they stretch to a whopping 14 weeks. One mother who raised five children in France before moving back to England says she prefers the six-week version.
France offers more support for families during the long break, with affordable play schemes costing as little as €9 (about £7.80) per day for a full day of activities and a cooked meal. Many businesses close in August, allowing parents to take time off, and the Vacaf voucher provides means-tested help for holidays, saving up to 70%. Additionally, a 'rentrée' payment of over €400 per child in August helps with back-to-school costs.
Despite these advantages, the mother argues that six weeks is better educationally. Research shows that children can lose up to 40% of their academic gains over the six-week break, and an extra two weeks could be catastrophic. She notes that by the end of eight weeks, children become 'feral' and struggle to readjust to early school starts.
In England, the final two weeks of term are often filled with school plays, awards, sports days, and visits to new teachers, creating a sense of anticipation for the break. While not much learning occurs, there is value in spending that time in the classroom. The mother concludes that six weeks is a childhood ritual worth preserving, despite the 'summer slippage' it causes.
