'Half-term was devised before we had combine harvesters and Poles'

EDUCATION Alice Miles in The Times wanted to abolish half-term holidays which are difficult for working parents. "The academic year harks back to when young people were needed to help with harvesting over the summer, before we had combine harvesters and Poles." Why not a five-term year with two-week breaks in between? Opposition from teachers - plus, "almost uniquely among the working population, MPs give themselves half-term breaks, like children. No childcare problems for them."

Further browsing For ideas of how to keep children entertained (even after half-term), visit: raisingkids.co.uk

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