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<\/p>\nA plan for a two-week autumn half term break for more than 70 schools in Surrey will not happen next year, after concerns about the impact were raised by headteachers.<\/p>\n
The half term in October 2026 is being extended by a week for community and voluntary controlled schools, after Surrey County Council (SCC) decided to make a change.<\/p>\n
But in the 2027\/28 academic year, it will go back to being a one-week holiday.<\/p>\n
In a statement, SCC said the shorter break was deemed “better for children’s learning and attendance, as well as for the wellbeing of staff and students”.<\/p>\n
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Community and voluntary controlled schools in Surrey will still have a two-week half term in October 2026 [BBC]<\/p>\n
Previously, Clare Curran, the former SCC Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning council, said there was a “clear appetite” for a two-week half term,<\/a> after schools and families were asked for their views in a 2024 opinion survey.<\/p>\n It was also decided that five days would be taken away from the summer holiday.<\/p>\n But in another survey in April, headteachers from community and voluntary controlled schools overwhelmingly supported reverting back to a one-week October half term.<\/p>\n Children being more tired and less likely to learn in a longer summer term, problems with attendance in the last week before the summer holidays, and staff and pupil wellbeing affected by a longer summer term and a shorter summer holiday were among the concerns that were raised.<\/p>\n It was also felt that a two-week half term in the autumn would disrupt children in reception, as they would have just settled into a new school.<\/p>\n ‘A different era’<\/p>\n Prof Lee Elliot Major, from the University of Exeter, who is one of the authors of a report<\/a> suggesting that school summer holidays should be shortened, said: “At a time when we are increasingly concerned about educational inequality, holiday hunger and the rising cost of childcare, it makes sense to revisit assumptions about the school year.<\/p>\n “The six-week summer holiday was designed for a very different era.<\/p>\n “The evidence suggests there are educational benefits to a shorter summer break, particularly for children who are most at risk of falling behind.<\/p>\n “The broader question of whether our school calendar remains fit for modern society is one that deserves continued debate.”<\/p>\n Other state schools in Surrey, including academies, free schools, foundation and voluntary aided schools, are able to set their own term dates,<\/a> so it will be up to them as to whether they follow the SCC ones.<\/p>\n Helyn Clack, SCC Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning, said: “Surrey County Council seeks the views of all school and settings in Surrey each year when determining academic term dates.<\/p>\n “While feedback received in 2025 pointed towards a preference for a two-week autumn half term, as reflected in the 2026\/27 academic year term dates, it was clear from feedback obtained in spring 2026 that schools wanted the option to revert to a one-week autumn half term. School leaders commented that this option was better for children’s learning and attendance, as well as for the wellbeing of staff and students.<\/p>\n “The determined dates for the 2027\/28 academic year for community and voluntary controlled schools therefore have a one-week autumn half term, with the summer term shortened by one week to accommodate this.”<\/p>\n Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook<\/a>, on X<\/a>, and on Instagram<\/a> and listen to BBC Radio Surrey on Sounds<\/a>. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk<\/a> or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.<\/p>\n More on this storyRelated internet links