Government call for shorter school holidays

[fox20thc]

link

 

The school summer holiday should be shortened in a bid to improve the prospects of poorer pupils, the Government's poverty adviser said. Frank Field said disadvantaged children fall further behind during the extended break because they are not being read to and tutored.

 

Mr Field called for the school year to be broken into four or five terms with shorter holidays to help poorer pupils who do not receive support at home.

 

Among proposals contained in the report are the introduction of a GCSE in parenting and an awards scheme for mothers and fathers, similar to the Duke of Edinburgh awards.

 

Mr Field will also recommend that mothers are given up to £25,000 in advance child benefit payments to enable them to stay at home to look after young children.

 

*Crazy proposals and in the current economic climate would would sanction a £25k payout to 'mothers' to stay home and take care of baby?

[SiSiSi]

Think of all the people on SF who would be deprived of a spot of teacher bashing!

[Lorri]

Here we go again! There was a big consultation a few years ago and nothing changed

[JFKvsNixon]

link

 

The school summer holiday should be shortened in a bid to improve the prospects of poorer pupils, the Government's poverty adviser said. Frank Field said disadvantaged children fall further behind during the extended break because they are not being read to and tutored.

 

Mr Field called for the school year to be broken into four or five terms with shorter holidays to help poorer pupils who do not receive support at home.

 

Among proposals contained in the report are the introduction of a GCSE in parenting and an awards scheme for mothers and fathers, similar to the Duke of Edinburgh awards.

 

Mr Field will also recommend that mothers are given up to £25,000 in advance child benefit payments to enable them to stay at home to look after young children.

 

*Crazy proposals and in the current economic climate would would sanction a £25k payout to 'mothers' to stay home and take care of baby?

 

It's not really the government's proposal, it's the government's poverty advisers proposal.

[spindrift]

Because poorer children are not read to, so they slip behind during the holidays.

[Suffragette1]

It makes sense to me. However, it's not only disadvantaged pupils who fall behind, but surely it's hard for most kids to pick up from where they left off after a six-seven week break? My son has just started secondary school and on day 2 had to sit his CATS. And how many kids are 'tutored' in the school holidays? Only those who are being hot housed or being prepared for some school entrance exam, surely?

 

Not only is the long summer break a veritable nightmare in terms of childcare for working parents, but even for those who don't work or take time off, it's an expensive time. Virtually everything these days costs money and you can't always rely on the weather to take them out for a walk or down to the park.

[hitch_1980]

Also having shorter holidays may make childcare prep easier for families...

[chem1st]

It's a shame things like this cannot be subsidised more:

 

http://www.ponds-forge.co.uk/Activity_Camps/

 

If your a single mum working Monday to Friday, your talking £100 per child per week.

 

You'd have to be earning a big wage to afford that.

[chem1st]

Considering child labour is outlawed, they don't need a long summer vacation in order to work picking fruit etc. in the fields anymore.

 

Although, in all fairness, it might be best to have the children working.

 

A form of national service, but working in agriculture, but for all children, not just the poor ones.

[Suffragette1]

I would prefer to see two weeks shaved off the summer break and one added onto the Christmas or Easter break and one onto the spring half term.