Cheaper half term holidays? Temple Grove Academy, Tunbridge Wells scraps inset days
A Kent school has extended its October half term so families can enjoy cheaper holidays.
Temple Grove Academy in Tunbridge Wells has confirmed that instead of the usual one week break at half-term, children will now have two weeks.
It should help families avoid extortionate prices levied by travel firms during traditional holiday times.
The academy has secured this extra week of holiday by accumulating inset days, usually used for staff training across the year, into one week. Half term at Temple Grove will now run from Monday, October 17 to Friday, October 28.
Staff training will now take place in "twilight sessions".
This extra week does not mean that pupils at Temple Grove have fewer educational days than children at other Kent schools.
On its website, the school in Friar's Way said: "We were aware that many of our parents struggled with the increased costs of holidays during school holiday times.
"By having an additional week in October, it is hoped that parents will be able to travel during this time and so improve their child’s attendance while also gaining an affordable holiday."