Schools out Oct-Nov?

[JohnNJ]

I was visiting WDW from Oct. 29 - Nov. 7 and ran in to quite a few people from the UK. Several told me that they were taking advantage of the schools being closed for a few days during that time.

Why were the schools closed?

Does it happen at the same time every year? If yes, what are the dates for 2005? 2006?

Are there other school holidays for the UK/Europe at other times of the year?

Thanks for the help.

 

[tartangirl]

Our kids get a week and a bit off school in October.

For 2005 they get 1/2 day on friday 14/10 and go back on Tues 25/10.

Too far to go for a week for us but I know a few take their kids out of school and turn it into a longer holiday.

 

[Miffy2003]

The holiday is called "October half term" and most schools close for one week (some for two). The school year is split into three terms, loosely:

beginning Sept - Dec 20th ish (Autumn term)
beginning Jan to Easter (Spring term)
after Easter to mid / end July (Summer term)

In each of the three terms, halfway through the term there is a "half term holiday" of (usually) a week, hence October half term holiday is halfway through Autumn term (see above)

The dates vary depending on where in the UK you live. For example our half term dates for October 2005 are different to Tartangirls; ours is a week later.

HTH

Karen

 

[Camac]

Hi John NJ,

Here in Wales the autumn half term week for 2005 will be from the end of the school day on Friday 21st October starting back on Monday 31st October. Schools have the discretion to apply their 5 INSET (teacher training) days as they wish throughout the year. Often these odd days get added either before or after a holiday such as this, making the break even longer.

This holiday tends to be the last full week in October each year so you can work it out from here on.

Camac

 

[JohnNJ]

Thanks for the quick replies.

This year it seems that a large number from the UK were there in to the first week of November. I guess some people extend their vacation by keeping their kids out of school a few extra days. Is this true?

John-NJ

 

[Camac]

Yes John-NJ you are right. Here the kids were due to go back on Monday 31st October this year but if their school had decided to have two inset days it would mean that the children would only loose 3 days of schooling.

Some parents just take the children out for the extra week anyway, either the week before or after the half term holiday week.

Camac