Parents and teachers in England: share your views on two-week half terms

Some schools in England are moving from one-week to two-week half-term holidays, prompting questions about how the longer breaks affect families and staff. The article invites parents and teachers to share their experiences and views on whether the change works well.

Councils set holiday dates for most state schools, while academies and several other types of school can choose their own. Most schools still have a one-week half term, but more are adopting or considering a fortnight; parents of young children have said longer breaks can make childcare harder to arrange. A proposal to extend half term in Wales was shelved in 2024 after teaching unions opposed it.