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In a bold move to help families enjoy affordable holidays, the travel company On the Beach has called upon headteachers of 25,000 schools in England and Wales to consider staggering inset weeks. By grouping these non-teaching days into full weeks, the initiative aims to reduce term-time absences and allow parents to book vacations at significantly lower prices, thereby addressing a growing concern over unaffordable travel options during peak school holidays.
A Call for Change
On the Beach has reached out to schools with a proposal that could revolutionise how families plan their holidays. Currently, schools in England typically have five inset days each year, while those in Wales observe six. These days are set aside for teacher development, meaning students do not attend classes. However, these days are seldom aligned in a way that allows families to take advantage of cheaper holiday rates.
The initiative comes as a response to soaring holiday prices during school breaks. According to research by Go.Compare, the average cost of a package holiday to Spain spikes by 20% during these periods, adding an extra £337 per person. This financial burden has left many families feeling trapped, as they face potential fines for taking their children out of school during term time.
Impact on Families
Zoe Harris, Chief Customer Officer at On the Beach, expressed her concern for families caught in this predicament. “Families shouldn’t have to choose between following the rules and being able to afford time away together,” she stated. Harris highlighted that the frustration stems from parents noticing more affordable off-peak holidays but feeling powerless to access them without risking fines for unauthorised absences.
Currently, parents can be fined £80 for each day their child is absent without permission, doubling to £160 if paid after three weeks. In the 2024/25 academic year, nearly 460,000 fines were issued for unauthorised family holidays, a statistic that underscores the urgency of this issue.
Success Stories from Schools
Some schools have already taken proactive steps to address this challenge. For instance, Python Hill Academy in Nottinghamshire has implemented an inset week aligned with the spring bank holiday for the last seven years. Principal Andy Stirland noted, “Parents should not be faced with fines or enforcement for wanting to spend family time together.” He emphasized that this approach has allowed families to take advantage of more affordable holiday options while maintaining high attendance rates.
Stirling’s school has consistently achieved attendance figures above the national average, demonstrating that innovative scheduling can benefit both families and educational institutions.
A Solution on the Horizon
The proposal from On the Beach is not just about travel; it represents a broader dialogue about the balance between education and family time. With the Department for Education yet to comment on the initiative, the hope is that schools will recognise the potential benefits of staggered inset weeks.
As schools determine their own schedules, the opportunity to enact change lies within the hands of headteachers. By coming together to implement this strategy, they could provide families with the chance to enjoy holidays without the financial strain associated with peak periods.
Why it Matters
This initiative speaks to a larger societal issue: the need for families to spend quality time together without financial penalty. As the cost of living continues to rise, the ability to travel affordably becomes increasingly essential for many households. By reevaluating the traditional school calendar and considering staggered inset weeks, schools not only have the power to ease the financial burden on families but also to foster a culture where family time is prioritised. This change could herald a new era of accessibility and understanding in the world of education and family life.
