School summer holidays could be cut by a week, with longer autumn half-term

School summer holidays will be cut by a week and could eventually be shortened to four weeks under plans to reform the academic year in Wales.

The Welsh Government has announced a consultation on changing the school year, so breaks are more evenly spread out, including a two-week autumn half-term.

Under the plans, a week would be taken from the start of the summer and added to the October break although the overall number of holiday days would not change.

The changes would be made from September 2025, meaning schools would get a two-week break in October 2025 and a five-week summer break in 2026.

Ministers are also consulting on the option of moving a second week from the summer break and adding it to the Whitsun half-term in May,

‘Learning loss’

The current six-week break causes ‘learning loss’, according to research, with pupils from poorer backgrounds and those with additional learning needs hardest hit.

Jeremy Miles argued the long summer break can put real strain on pupils and parents.

The education minister said: “Families struggle to find childcare over the six weeks and others struggle with the additional costs long summers bring.

“We also know our most disadvantaged learners suffer the most ‘learning loss’ from a long summer.

“There are plenty of examples of local authorities across the UK changing their school calendar to suit local needs.

“We want to make sure education works best for pupils, teachers, and families. We’re looking for people’s views on these changes and what it would mean for them.”

Budget deal

The changes to the school year are part of the cooperation agreement between Welsh ministers and Plaid Cymru.

Siân Gwenllian, for Plaid Cymru, said: “The current school calendar was designed a long time ago, under very different circumstances and we are suggesting changes that could work better for everyone, but most importantly for pupils of all ages.

“Many children and young people, especially those with additional learning needs and those from lower income families find the break very long, impacting negatively on their wellbeing and education.

“These proposals address that while still allowing the same amount of holidays throughout the year, including a substantial summer holiday, whilst also providing a longer break during the autumn half-term.”

Under the plans, the two-week spring break would be fixed rather than move to coincide with Easter.

The Good Friday and Easter Monday public holidays would still apply, with teaching time made up elsewhere in the school calendar.

Other proposed changes include GCSE and A-level results days falling in the same week rather than a week apart.

Tourism

Laura Anne Jones, the Conservatives’ shadow education minister, urged the Welsh Government to listen to parents and teachers before taking a decision in spring.

The South Wales East MS also raised concerns about the potential impact on an “already struggling” tourism industry in Wales.

She said: “There are many issues with Labour’s plans to reform the school year, with the biggest impact potentially being felt by pupils, teachers and parents.

“Whilst we support reforming the school day, reform to both the day and the holiday cannot take place without compelling hard evidence on why it is needed and the positive difference it would make to pupils and teachers.

“This must not be based on perception or opinion.”

Jane Dodds, leader of the Lib Dems in Wales, urged the Welsh Government to proceed with caution.

She said: “I completely understand the rationale behind these changes.

“I hear regularly from families concerned about feeding and caring for their children during the school holidays, and these proposals could help address those challenges.

“However, this would present a major change to an education system that has suffered huge disruption post Covid-19.

“The Welsh Government must proceed with caution if they are to make such seismic changes to the school year.

“We cannot risk adding further pressure onto the shoulders of teachers and schools that are already being weighed down.”

Readers can have their say on the proposals by responding to the Welsh Government consultation which will be published at 2pm on Tuesday November 21.