It’s time to consider shortening school summer holidays, says Ofsted chief

Many children are still playing catch up from Covid

Ofsted chief Sir Martyn Oliver highlighted that children are only in school for 190 days each year when holidays and teacher training days are excluded.

Speaking to LBC Radio he said: "I think 190 days of children going in out of 365 - I think the question should be 'is that long enough'?"

Sir Martyn said the six-week summer holiday can cause 'dysregulation' in pupils - where children slip out of their routines and discipline, particularly those who are vulnerable or disadvantaged.

He continued: "After a six-week holiday in the summer, that is when you're often dealing with - we call it 'dysregulation' - when pupils are out of the routine of attending school regularly. Once you have a big break, it makes it quite difficult.

"I think it probably is time to think about school holidays again. Some areas of the country have got slightly shorter summer holidays and equalled out the holidays so that you don't go one week, two weeks, six weeks."

The Tory government considered shortening the summer holidays as part of the Covid-19 catch-up plan, but the measure was scrapped.

However, there have long been calls to use the measure to mitigate the lingering effects of the pandemic on young people.

However, many parents disagreed with the Sir Martyn's comments, and took to social media to share their thoughts.

One said: "Why have kids if all you want to do is keep them away from you and in school? I would love to see schools go to a 4 day a week, we don’t see them enough and they grow so quickly, it’s very selfish."

A second said: "Absolutely not! Children need a long summer! 8 weeks would be better. Organise better childcare and greater flexibility for working parents, sure, but no more school!"

While a third suggested changing the summer holiday to four weeks and making the Christmas holiday four weeks as kids are 'a nightmare to get up when its cold'.

The inspector also backed plans to install 'knife arch' metal detectors in schools after a rise in stabbing attacks recently.

He said: "I'm a real big believer in headteachers having the autonomy and the freedom to make the decisions that's right for them.

"And if a headteacher decides that they need to put that in place, then they should work with their community, work with their parents and make sure that they can keep children safe the best way that they think."