Everyone needs to pull together in the pandemic and make sacrifices, and that includes teachers. If they have a contractual benefit of so many weeks of holiday, give it to them now or in the next couple of months. Forget the pressure to provide full education now, except for the vulnerable and children of key workers. Schools could go back full steam as the pandemic becomes under control. This is my plan:
Term 1 starts after Easter on Tuesday April 6 and runs for 8 weeks to May 28. One week holiday (May 31-June 4) includes the bank holiday. (Long weekend in the middle with the May 3 bank holiday)
Term 2: (6 weeks): June 7 – July 16. One week holiday (July 19-23)
Term 3: (5 weeks): July 26 – August 27. One week holiday (August 30 – September 3) includes the bank holiday
Regular school calendar for 2021-22 starts on September 6.
Parents not to be prosecuted if they take children out of school during the special summer sessions, but told forcefully they are the ones damaging their children’s education in that case.
Concerted effort during these terms could bring children back to where they should be.
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