Big changes are coming to the school calendar in some parts of the UK, as some parents have voted to shorten the traditional six-week summer break to just five weeks. The extra week will be moved to a new, longer break in the autumn term – typically in October.
This decision is already being rolled out in areas like Surrey, with other regions expected to consider similar moves.
Why Parents Supported the Change
For many families, the six-week summer holiday has always been a logistical challenge. Working parents struggle with childcare, while some children experience learning loss during such a long break.
This new model, which shortens the summer and introduces a two-week October half-term, offers a better balance between rest, learning, and affordability. Parents liked the idea of spreading holidays more evenly throughout the year, making them easier to manage and giving kids more regular opportunities to recharge.
Benefits for Everyone
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For Children: A shorter summer can help maintain learning momentum and reduce the “summer slump” many kids face when returning to school.
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For Parents: The new calendar structure makes it easier to plan time off, spread out childcare costs, and avoid the intense summer juggle.
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For Teachers: More evenly spaced breaks can help with teacher wellbeing and reduce burnout, ultimately benefiting the classroom environment.
What’s Changing?
Here’s how the new term structure typically looks:
| Term | Duration |
|---|---|
| Summer holiday | 5 weeks |
| Autumn half-term | 2 weeks |
Not all schools will adopt this model immediately – it’s down to local authorities and academy trusts to decide. But in areas where parents were given the option, the vote in favour of change was clear.
Mixed Reactions from Families
While many parents welcome the shift, others say they’ll miss the longer summer break – especially families who use that time for big trips or reunions. There are also concerns about how working parents will cover an extra week off in October if their jobs don’t align with the new schedule.
However, most agree that a shorter summer makes sense in today’s world, where family routines and work patterns have changed dramatically.
What Dads Need to Know
If your child’s school is making the switch, it’s worth planning ahead now:
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Check your school’s updated term dates.
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Consider how the new autumn break could be used for quality family time.
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Speak to your employer about flexibility during the October holiday if needed.
This shift could signal a wider trend in UK education – one that aims to make school life more family-friendly, supportive of mental health, and better aligned with the needs of modern parents.
