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Shorter summer holidays and longer half-term for pupils in Surrey

Girl runs out of the school entrance with her arms in the air and a big smile on her face. She is wearing her school uniform and other pupils are following herGetty Images

Would you prefer a longer October half-term in exchange for a shorter summer break?

Schools in Surrey will be doing just that from the autumn of 2026 after a survey showed people were in favour of the new system.

It means that pupils and teachers will have a two week long half-term in October next year and their summer holiday will be shortened by five days.

Overall there will still be the same number of school days in the year.

Do you think this is a good idea? Would you like it at your school? Let us know in the comments.

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What information do we collect from this quiz?

Why is Surrey council changing school holidays?

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Schools in Surrey were asked if they were in favour of a two week autumn half-term in a survey.

60% of schools said yes, 30% were against a new system and 10% were unsure.

Clare Curran from Surrey County Council said the survey was in response to a wider discussion about term dates.

She added that the decision was based on "the received by the council from schools, school staff, and families regarding the challenges of differing term dates".

Are other places changing their schools holidays too?

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Surrey isn't the only place in the UK reviewing the length of school holidays, with some areas like Suffolk and the Isle of Wight already implementing a two week October half-term.

The Welsh government looked at shortening their summer holidays too but has since shelved the plans after opposition to the idea.

The discussion comes after a report from last year by the Nuffield Foundation suggested summer holidays should be cut down from six weeks to four and half, with made longer to improve the wellbeing of both teaching staff and pupils.

That's something schools part of the Unity Schools Partnership in Suffolk found after introducing the longer autumn break.

Pupil absences for illness after the holiday fell by 25% at 31 of its primary and secondary schools.

What do you think? Would you give up a longer summer break in favour of a two week holiday in October? Let us know in the comments.

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