Is a two-week half-term a good deal? Some parents in England

Published: 30 October 2025. The English Chronicle Des. The English Chronicle Online.

Across England, October half-term has increasingly become a topic of debate as more schools extend the break from the traditional one week to a full fortnight. While the change is intended to give teachers a much-needed rest and allow families to access more affordable holiday options, many parents are voicing concerns about the added financial and logistical pressures. The growing shift towards longer half-term holidays highlights the tensions between school policies, family budgets, and wider societal implications.

Councils across England set the holiday dates for state schools. Meanwhile, academies, free schools, foundation schools, and voluntary-aided institutions have the flexibility to decide their own schedules. Nottinghamshire County Council, for example, moved to a two-week holiday schedule in 2019, setting a precedent for other regions. This year, Unity Schools Partnership, a multi-academy group spanning Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex, is introducing a two-week break across eight primary schools for the first time. Schools adopting this approach often compensate for the extended holiday by slightly reducing summer term holidays or lengthening the school day by a few minutes, ensuring that the total instructional hours remain consistent across the academic year. Unity schools, for instance, have added ten minutes to each day to balance the additional week off.

Supporters of the extended half-term argue that the change benefits both staff and students. Teachers often experience reduced burnout due to the extra break, while students enjoy a chance to recharge mid-term. Sarah Garner, head of Unity Schools Partnership, notes that attendance has improved since the two-week holiday was implemented, with fewer illness-related absences reported in the lead-up to Christmas. This improvement demonstrates that a longer break can indirectly support learning outcomes by ensuring students are present and more focused when they return.

However, for many families, a fortnight-long break can pose serious challenges. Childcare costs increase, especially for households where parents work full-time or have inflexible schedules. Sebrina McCullough of Money Wellness, a debt solutions and budgeting advisory service, emphasizes that parents face not only the direct costs of childcare but also additional expenses for food, energy, and recreational activities. The situation is particularly acute for single parents or those in zero-hour or shift-based jobs, who may have limited options for flexible childcare.

Families with children attending multiple schools experience further difficulties when holiday schedules are not aligned. Coordinating childcare across different school calendars can be a logistical nightmare, with parents forced to arrange additional supervision or activities for children at different times. Lydia Hodges of Coram, a leading children’s charity, points out that nearly a quarter of holiday clubs do not open during half-term, and those that do often operate for only one week. The charity also highlights the loss of school-provided meals for disadvantaged children, which can place further strain on household finances. On average, childcare during a week-long break can cost £179 per child, an amount that becomes significantly higher for longer holidays or families with multiple children.

From an economic perspective, some argue that a two-week break may offer advantages to families seeking to travel. For instance, travel costs can be spread over different periods, and a longer half-term allows families to book trips during off-peak periods to save money. Rebecca Horne from the campaign group Pregnant Then Screwed notes that spreading holidays throughout the year helps parents avoid the pressures of a long summer holiday. She also highlights the disproportionate impact on women, who traditionally take on the majority of childcare responsibilities, as the extended breaks can disrupt work schedules and career progression.

Tour operators also respond to the demand for family holidays during half-term periods, often increasing prices for flights and accommodation. Chase Bank figures indicate that a family of four traveling to Spain during peak half-term week could face costs of £993, compared with just £191 the following week. While some parents can benefit from budget-friendly alternatives by adjusting travel dates, the overall upward trend in costs may limit accessibility for lower-income families. Paul Scott from My Budget Break warns that tour operators are likely to hike prices around “shoulder dates,” which could further erode potential savings.

Proponents of the two-week model also argue that it helps schools manage attendance more effectively. A survey conducted by Parentkind earlier this year found that almost half of parents support the idea of a two-week half-term across all schools. Extended breaks allow for more flexibility in scheduling and may reduce the spread of illnesses, as students spend less time in close contact with sick peers. Furthermore, the Department for Education reported that overall school attendance improved last year, with 140,000 fewer pupils recorded as persistently absent compared to the previous year.

Despite these benefits, the debate remains divided. Families must weigh the advantages of a longer holiday against the financial and logistical burdens it can create. For working parents, the extra week may translate into additional childcare costs and scheduling conflicts. Conversely, teachers and students may experience tangible improvements in rest, morale, and academic engagement. The move to a two-week half-term represents a delicate balance between educational priorities, social policy considerations, and economic realities for families across England.

Ultimately, whether a two-week half-term is a blessing or a burden depends on individual circumstances. For some families, it provides the opportunity to travel, spend quality time together, and benefit from the improved attendance and wellbeing of staff and students. For others, particularly those with limited resources, the extended break presents challenges that require careful planning, financial support, and flexible childcare solutions. The ongoing debate underscores the complex interplay between education policy and family life, highlighting the need for thoughtful approaches that consider the diverse needs of all stakeholders.