One-off two-week half term begins after concerns

For the first time more than 70 schools in Surrey are beginning a two-week autumn half term holiday before reverting back to one week following concerns from headteachers.

A decision to extend the break for a week at community and voluntary controlled schools, which are run by Surrey County Council (SCC), was originally made in May 2025.

But after headteachers raised concerns about the impact, it will go back to being a one-week holiday in the 2027-28 academic year.

So will the break, starting on Monday, be the first and only time that this happens?

A survey carried out in the spring showed that headteachers and executive headteachers at community and voluntary controlled schools overwhelmingly supported having a one-week break instead of a two-week one.

It was felt that a longer summer term would cause children to be more tired and less likely to learn, impact attendance in the final week, and, combined with a shorter summer holiday, affect the wellbeing of staff and students.

Another reason given was that children in reception, who would have just settled into a new school, would be disrupted by a two-week October half term.

Helyn Clack, SCC cabinet member for children, families and lifelong learning, says the council seeks "the views of all schools and settings in Surrey each year when determining academic term dates" and it was "clear from feedback.. that schools wanted the option to revert to a one-week autumn half term".

She added the summer term in 2027-28 would be "shortened by one week to accommodate this".

It is difficult to say exactly how parents feel, but there does appear to be support for a two-week half term.

In a previous survey carried out by SCC, about 56% of people agreed with the idea, while 36% opposed it, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Of parents in the south-east of England surveyed last year by Parentkind, the charity for parent-teacher organisations, almost half (45%) supported a shorter five-week summer holiday and moving a week elsewhere in the school year, while 23% were opposed to the idea.

Concerns have been raised about the affordability of holiday clubs and activities and a majority of parents in the South East said school holidays were financially difficult, according to the polling.

Experts say there is evidence to suggest there are educational benefits to having a shorter summer break, including helping children who fall behind, as well as managing behaviour and attention in class.

The majority of schools in Surrey are not run by SCC,

They include academies, free schools, and foundation or voluntary aided schools, which means they are able to set their own term dates.

In the past few years, a growing number have started putting two-week half terms into the academic calendar and part of the aim of the original council plan to extend the break was to have more consistency across the county.

Independent private schools also often have longer holidays.

Others have made a different decision and are sticking with a one-week half term.

For example, a spokesperson for the multi-academy Xavier Catholic Education Trust, which runs more than 20 schools, previously told BBC Radio Surrey that headteachers had been consulted on moving to a two-week autumn half term, but "were not in favour of the proposal as they didn't believe that it was in the best interest of the children and students".

From 1 April 2027 the existing councils in Surrey, including SCC, will be abolished and replaced by two new unitary councils, East Surrey Council and West Surrey Council, as part of the local government reorganisation process.

They will be responsible for delivering all local services, including education and children's services, so it will be up to councillors and officers if they want to revisit the decision at a later date.

Steve Wotton, leader of East Surrey Council, has told BBC Radio Surrey they "want to make decisions that reflect local needs, so listening carefully to feedback and considering the evidence available will always be an important part of the process".

He says: "By working closely with school leaders and parents, we can ensure decisions support the best possible outcomes for children, young people, families and staff across East Surrey."

Paul Follows, leader of West Surrey Council said: "As a new council, we are committed to working collaboratively with schools, families and communities to understand what matters most to them.

"Decisions such as these are about balancing different views and considering what will best support children's education, wellbeing and future success."

He said: "We will continue to listen, engage openly and work with our education partners, parents and staff to help shape future decisions."

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