Term Time Holiday Loophole

One school extends lessons by 20 minutes everyday to give parents two weeks extra holiday each year.

15:23 20 May 2016

The number of parents taking their children out of school for holidays is increasing. To address the issue, Chiddingstone Primary near Tunbridge Wells, Kent extends lessons by 20 minutes everyday so that children can have time off when holidays are cheaper for their parents.

 

It comes after the row over allowing children out of school for family holidays came to a head in landmark High Court case last week when judges ruled that a father shouldn’t be punished for taking his daughter to Disney World in term-time.

 

Head teacher Rachel Streatfeild said: 'We have a very close relationship with our parents and after a long period of consultation we have decided to trial this restructure.

 

'We are conscious that parents will be able to benefit by taking their children on holiday when prices might be more affordable, but we also feel the longer half-term holidays will keep the terms short and therefore allow us to teach the curriculum more efficiently.

 

'We do not have a problem with our parents taking their children out of school during term time, but we noticed that after last year's term six, which ran from the children were exhausted.

 

'By adding a week to each half-term holiday we can restrict each term to no longer than six weeks.

 

'We also feel the slightly lengthier day will benefit the older children who will face longer school days when they transition to secondary school.'