Secret Teacher: Maybe the school holidays are too long

Some of the most vulnerable secondary students would certainly benefit from creative summer group work

What if we’d summer programmes during state exams, to engage students, whilst giving breathing room, actual time, for teachers to plan and collaborate? Picture: Ben Birchall

Sometimes, unpopular decisions have to be made for the greater good. I imagine the decision to delay pub openings didn’t come easily but as a teacher, hoping to get back to work, I’m grateful for it.

It makes me think of another, potentially difficult decision I’m not sure we’ll ever make — that of cutting secondary school holidays. On a personal level, such a decision would devastate me. They’re amazing, and come the end of May, they certainly feel deserved.