School calendar must be changed to allow better family travel

Is climate change beginning to reshape how British families holiday, and is it time our education system caught up? As temperatures soar in traditional Mediterranean hotspots, we’re witnessing a fundamental shift in travel patterns that demand urgent attention.

 

The evidence is mounting from across the travel industry. Data shows the first signs of growth in shoulder season bookings, with families increasingly seeking cooler climates during what were once peak summer months. Popular destinations like Croatia, Cyprus and Egypt are experiencing increasing demand during May and October, when temperatures remain pleasant without the scorching heat that now characterises July and August. In some cases, these shoulder months are seeing booking increases of 30-40% compared with pre-pandemic levels.

 

This trend highlights a critical flaw in our outdated school calendar system. Many British families face an impossible choice: pay premium prices for crowded, uncomfortably hot destinations during the rigid six-week summer break or remove children from school during term time and face potential rising fines. However, as climate patterns shift and family travel needs evolve, is now the time to consider a pragmatic solution?

 

The answer is surprisingly simple yet requires political will and potentially some legislative changes. Some progressive regions have already pioneered extending October half-term to two weeks while shortening summer holidays by an equivalent period. Schools that operate as academies, which represent around 50% of all schools, already have the flexibility to set their own holiday timetables. This means comprehensive reform wouldn’t require legislation affecting every school, although it may necessitate new guidelines for academy freedoms.

 

This modest adjustment opens up entirely new travel opportunities where destinations offer both better weather conditions and significantly lower prices, sometimes saving families hundreds of pounds per trip.

 

Currently, most schools offer just one week each for May and October half-terms, severely limiting family options for meaningful travel experiences. These brief windows barely allow for anything beyond short-haul or domestic trips, forcing families into the expensive summer bottleneck. Extended breaks during these optimal months would allow families to explore warm-climate destinations without extreme heat, benefiting from better value while avoiding the stress and stigma of unauthorised absence.

 

The intense demand for travel during school summer holidays places significant pressure on families and infrastructure alike. This seasonal surge exemplifies classic supply and demand dynamics where limited capacity meets peak consumer need, driving up costs and straining resources from airports to accommodation providers. Prices are routinely increased during school holidays, while some hotels in popular destinations can charge double their off-peak rates.

 

A more balanced redistribution of school holidays could help smooth these demand curves, alleviate pressure on overstretched travel infrastructure and create a more efficient tourism ecosystem. This would benefit not just families but the entire travel industry, allowing for better resource allocation across the year.

 

The current system also disadvantages educational opportunities. Many cultural and historical sites across Europe are overcrowded and sweltering during July and August, making them less enjoyable and educational for visiting families. The optimal times for exploring destinations like Rome, Athens or Barcelona are increasingly the shoulder months when the weather is mild, and sites are more accessible. Travel during these times may also bring more affordable opportunities for families who currently can’t afford expensive peak summer holidays.

 

The travel industry data is compelling: summer bookings remain high year-on-year, driven purely by families with inflexible school schedules rather than preference. Meanwhile, shoulder season demand continues growing as independent travellers and childless couples discover superior experiences at lower costs without intense peak summer heat. This creates a two-tier system disadvantaging families significantly.

 

The benefits extend beyond tourism. A more balanced school calendar could improve student wellbeing by providing better-spaced rest periods throughout the academic year, potentially reducing burnout and improving learning outcomes. Teachers, too, would benefit from more evenly distributed breaks rather than the current system that front-loads stress into the summer exodus period.

 

Government should recognise that modernising school calendars isn’t merely about education or tourism – it’s about supporting family wellbeing, economic efficiency and adapting to our rapidly changing climate. The Department for Education should work with travel industry representatives, teacher unions and parent groups to develop a phased transition plan.

 

The benefits are substantial: more affordable family holidays, reduced climate stress, better educational experiences and a more efficient year-round tourism industry. 

 

British families deserve a school calendar that serves their needs in the 21st century, not one that traps them in an expensive, uncomfortable summer bottleneck. It’s time for comprehensive reform that puts families first and acknowledges the realities of climate change and modern travel patterns.

 

The only question remaining is whether there is the will to act on evidence that becomes more compelling with each sweltering summer.