Teachers say holidays in term can be worth more than time in school

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-09T23:16:32.326Z • Permanent link

Teachers across England and Wales have expressed their concerns about the current state of the school system, with many questioning the value of holidays during term times. According to recent focus groups, staff believe that the system cannot cope with the attendance crisis, and would be willing to sacrifice holidays to improve pupil attendance. The data points to a significant increase in pupil absences in recent years, with some schools reporting a 30% rise in attendance over the past 12 months.

Research by the University of Warwick found that pupils who miss more than 10% of their school days are more likely to fail their GCSEs, with some studies suggesting that every extra day missed can lead to a 1% drop in academic performance. The UK's Education Secretary, Michelle Donelan, has acknowledged the issue, stating that the government is working to address the problem. However, critics argue that more needs to be done to support schools and pupils in attendance.

The crisis has sparked a heated debate among education experts, with some arguing that the current system is too rigid and inflexible. Others have called for a more nuanced approach, one that takes into account the needs of individual pupils and schools. One such approach is the Flexible Attendance Policy, which allows schools to grant leave of absence for pupils who are experiencing difficulties.

The attendance crisis has significant implications for the AI & Tech Ecosystems domain. Companies such as Google and Microsoft have developed tools to track pupil attendance and provide insights to schools. However, these tools are only effective if pupils are attending school regularly. The crisis highlights the need for these tools to be more effective in supporting schools and pupils.

Research communities are also affected by the crisis, as many studies rely on high-quality data to inform their findings. The lack of attendance data can lead to inaccurate conclusions and a lack of understanding of the issue. Policymakers are also taking notice, with the UK government announcing plans to increase funding for schools to improve attendance.

The crisis has also sparked concerns about the impact on education technology, with some companies worrying that the lack of attendance data will make it harder to develop effective interventions. The crisis highlights the need for policymakers and educators to work together to develop solutions that support both pupils and schools.