≡-UK School Calendar Reform Makes Cyprus, Croatia, and Egypt Ideal for Family Shoulder Season Travel Getaways – Viral of Today

<> Viral of Today <>
Home » TOURISM NEWS » UK School Calendar Reform Makes Cyprus, Croatia, and Egypt Ideal for Family Shoulder Season Travel Getaways Published on
August 27, 2025The current UK school calendar, with its long summer break, is outdated and no longer meets the evolving needs of modern families. As climate change reshapes the way people travel, it has become clear that the rigid six-week summer holidays cause significant problems for both families and the travel industry. This imbalance creates a dilemma where families must either pay high prices for crowded destinations or take children out of school during term time, risking fines.The summer break, traditionally a time for family holidays, now coincides with increasingly hot temperatures in popular Mediterranean destinations. As a result, many families are opting for shoulder-season holidays, taking advantage of cooler weather in destinations like Cyprus, Croatia, and Egypt. These periods—May and October—have seen booking increases of 30-40% over the past few years, reflecting growing demand for more temperate conditions.The Need for a More Flexible School CalendarThe rigid structure of the UK school calendar is no longer suitable in a world where travel patterns and climate conditions are shifting. Many families face tough choices during the summer months:Expensive Peak Season Travel: As temperatures rise, popular destinations become overcrowded and costly during the summer break.School Term Conflict: Families who wish to travel during shoulder months often face the dilemma of removing children from school during term time, risking penalties and disrupting their children’s education.An adjustment to the school calendar could create more opportunities for families to travel at lower prices, avoid the stress of peak-season crowds, and benefit from more pleasant weather conditions.A Simple Solution: Shorter Summers, Longer Half-TermsThe solution lies in a simple adjustment to the academic year. Some regions have already experimented with extending the October half-term to two weeks while shortening the summer holiday by an equivalent period. This adjustment would:Create Better Travel Opportunities: Longer half-term breaks during May and October would allow families to explore destinations with milder weather, such as Rome, Barcelona, or Athens, without the intense heat of peak summer.Provide Cost Savings: Shoulder-season travel is typically cheaper than summer holidays, which would save families hundreds of pounds per trip.Ease Pressure on Infrastructure: Fewer families would need to travel during the peak summer period, reducing the strain on airports, accommodation providers, and other travel infrastructure.These modest changes would benefit not only families but also the wider travel and tourism industry by creating a more balanced demand throughout the year.The Benefits of a Balanced CalendarBeyond tourism, adjusting the school calendar could provide several benefits:Educational Experiences: Traveling during the shoulder months can offer more meaningful educational opportunities. Popular historical and cultural sites in Europe, like those in Rome or Athens, are often overcrowded and less enjoyable in the peak summer heat. However, these sites are far more accessible during milder months.Student Wellbeing: A more balanced school calendar with evenly distributed breaks could improve student wellbeing, reducing stress and burnout during the academic year.Teacher Benefits: Teachers would also benefit from a more balanced schedule, which would help reduce pressure during peak times and allow for better-paced terms.This simple yet effective change could help ensure that families can make the most of their holidays without the burden of high prices and stressful travel conditions.A Practical Response to Changing Travel NeedsIt is clear that the current school calendar is ill-suited to the demands of modern families and the changing climate. As travel patterns shift, so too must the academic calendar. A more flexible approach, including longer half-term breaks and a shorter summer holiday, would allow families to enjoy more affordable and comfortable travel experiences. At the same time, it would ease the pressure on travel infrastructure and promote a healthier work-life balance for both students and teachers.Government action is needed to address this issue, working with education authorities and travel industry experts to create a school calendar that better meets the needs of families in the 21st century.

This information will surprise you!

See also

• Read until the end to discover everything.
• Important information you need to know.
• Interesting facts and helpful tips.

Conclusion

Did you enjoy the news? Keep following us daily!