The School Year - A Proposal

27th October 2025

Expert says Scotland's school holiday pattern leads to loss of learning and fatigue, and harms the welfare of vulnerable pupils.

A change in holiday patterns would cost nothing and benefit teachers and pupils, especially the poorest
Overall number of days at school would remain the same.

The independent, non-party think tank Enlighten has published a paper by former teacher and education leader Gillian Hunt calling for a change in Scotland's school year.

The paper says that Scotland's school year "no longer meets the needs of children, families or the education system", and calls for reform based on a four-term school year.

The paper critiques the current school year as "unchanged for over a century, shaped by agriculture and religion". It states that the holiday pattern, particularly the long summer break:

Leads to a loss of learning, especially for children in poverty

Is particularly expensive for working parents
Increases hunger and loneliness

Creates fatigue in teachers and pupils during the longer terms

Published as some pupils enjoy the final day of their October break, with others at the end of their first week back at school, Gillian Hunt's recommendations centre on a standardised October break of two weeks, a reduced summer break of five weeks, and a full week in February for those who do not already receive it.

Gillian Hunt said,"The current pattern of the school year in Scotland no longer meets the needs of children, families or our education system. The school year and pattern of holidays have remained unchanged for over a century, shaped by agriculture and religion and do not serve modern society.

"There are several issues associated with the current pattern. Currently there are three long, uneven terms. This results in fatigue for both children and school staff, and challenges curricular planning. The long summer holiday creates a number of difficulties such as loss of learning, holiday hunger, loneliness and maintaining contact with children who require safeguarding. This is particularly significant and damaging for children living in poverty.

"Changing the pattern of the school year is a low-cost educational reform with demonstrable benefits for children, families and the teaching profession, and one which reflects and supports modern life in Scotland."

Keir Bloomer, chair of the Commission on School Reform said, "Not all educational reform needs to be costly. In this case, GIllian Hunt's proposals may even save families money, as well as improving educational outcomes overall. If we are to recover Scotland's reputation as an educational power then we should start with the basics. Getting the school year right seems about as basic as it gets, and Gillian’s proposals are worthy of consideration by the Scottish Government."

Gillian Hunt’s proposal is:
Term 1: 10 weeks (August to October), October holiday - two weeks.
Term 2: 7 weeks (October to December), Christmas holiday - two weeks.
Term 3 part one: 6 weeks* (January to February), February mid-term - one week.
Term 3 part two: 7 weeks (February to April), Easter holiday - two weeks.
Term 4: 10 weeks (April to June), Summer holiday - five weeks.

Gillian Hunt has been an educator for more than 30 years and initially as a primary teacher, holding several leadership roles in schools before moving into the City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) as Leadership and Management Development Officer. Gillian was the first Academic Coordinator of the Chartered Teacher Programme at the University of Edinburgh, and held that role for two years before returning to the Council as Learning and Development Manager. Gillian served as a panel member on the Edinburgh Children’s Panel for five years and led the Scottish Professional Learning Network from 2014 to 2016.

Keir Bloomer is the chair of the Commission on School Reform was established by Enlighten. Its full membership can be seen at enlighten.scot.

Enlighten is a public policy institute which works to promote increased economic prosperity, opportunity for all, and more effective public services. Enlighten is independent of political parties and any other organisations. It is funded by donations from private individuals, charitable trusts and corporate organisations. Its Director is Chris Deerin and Alison Payne is the Research Director. Both work closely with the Trustee Board, chaired by Lord McConnell, which meets regularly to review the research and policy programme.

Read the full report HERE
Pdf 18 Pages