School Holidays 2008

[juliebro]

I hear on the news that there are going to be changes to the standard school year - with, for example, 6 week terms and longer holidays.
We like to visit Florida in April. Anyone know whether the traditional Easter school holiday is going to be a thing of the past? And, if so, when are the school holidays going to be at that time of year?
DS has left school now (hopefully going to Uni in September) - so we would like to avoid the crowds (and the high prices) if possible.


Julie

 

[Claire L]

Some LEA's have already changed the Easter holiday to a Spring holiday which is fixed as the first two full weeks in April.

Claire

 

[cheryl.UK]

Your school will already have the holiday dates for 2008 and most will also have the dates for 2009. Give them a ring. We already have our provisional dates for the 09/10 academic year. We've had the 2007/08 for at least 18 months.

 

[ppow]

Right here goes. We have been on 6 terms for past 2 years now. First county to change and I belive most will from this September or next.

Easter - only good friday and easter monday holiday.

Easter 2 weeks holiday is now fixed as first two weeks in APril. This of course has a knock on affect in February as the holiday in feb is now earlier and summer holiday has been moved somewhat.

We now have:

February - 1 week - always second week in February
Easter - 2 weeks - always first two weeks in April
Spring Bank - 1 week - always the week of Spring Bank Hol Monday
Summer Hol - 6 weeks - always finish 20 July and return 1st Sept
Half Term - 1 week - always 3rd week of October
Christmas - 2 weeks - always finish 20 Dec and return 2 or 3 Jan


Hope this helps!!

Its a nightmare for me as I live on the edge of two counties with kids at school in both - one has been on 6 terms for 2 years and the other is still to change (Sept 08) so I have one at home one week and then as they go back to school the other starts their holiday. Aghhhhhhhhhh!!!!!

 

[wayneg]

Speaking to a relative from Colchester yesterday and their daughter is having Good friday, Easter Mon and Tues off, going into school Weds, Thurs, and Fri then 2 week off.
On Kirklees website it is still saying the traditional Easter 2 weeks breaking up day before Good friday for 2 weeks off. I hope this is correct as DW has booked the dates off work. My only concern is they have not updated their site for over a year, hope they do not change when its updated.
So looks like every area is having different dates next year.

 

[Cinderella2006]

As cheryl.UK states, i have my sons term dates until 2010 which is great as i can plan holidays around them. Next Easter holidays for my son is 20th march 2008 to the 7th april 2008.

 

[wayneg]

Just sent email asking when they will update website with new dates. It says they will respond but will take upto 6 days

 

[Cyrano]

This thread with different Local Authority holidays may help

 

[TandCmum]

we have very different holidays here in Scotland and have 4 terms.

summer holidays :- 7 weeks (end of June till mid august)
October holidays :- 2 weeks (first 2 weeks, some scottish schools are last 2 weeks)
Xmas holidays :- 2 weeks around 22nd december
easter holidays :- 2 weeks beginning of April

no half term hols as such, but they have a long weekend in february and another in november, and a couple days off for May bank holiday

 

[Soprano]

I do think now with this break up of term holidays we will see longer 'peak time' charges from holiday firms. Rather than just the Easter price hike, I'd guess most firms will blanket March and April as 'high season' just to cover those of us who hoped to get away without paying through the nose.

I did notice last week, a LOT of early April dates are no longer available from Virgin Holidays website. I presume these are sold out to shrewd parents who booked up before the price increase.

The only benefit I can see is, those of use whose children have later term breaks in mid-April, should miss the US Spring Break holiday which mades WDW almost unbearable with people.

I am in two minds to book up mid-April myself right now. I was hoping to spend most of the school holiday in Orlando, but with the VAST difference in price, I can see me taking them out of school again.

 

[juliebro]

Looks like the first two weeks in April will be a definite no-no for us!

Thanks for all the info.

Julie

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

Hey wayneg, where in Dewsbury? We live in Dewsbury and I am a Kirklees teacher working in Heckmondwike.