I'm a working mum who wants the best for her child.

The current school annual timetable was designed in the 19th century and is no longer fit for purpose. lets change it to a system that reflects modern life and helps us compete with the world's best.

Attributes of a successful education system are:

1) Three, equal length semesters which start and end on the same dates.

2) Children start school the semester after they are 5, and leave the semester they turn 18.They move up a class after they complete three semesters.

3) Each semester contains 2-3 core weeks when all schools and universities are expected to be open for the purpose of simultaneous assessments.

4) Outside this core, schools are free to set 4 weeks holiday per semester.

5) School semesters are 17 weeks long with only 7-8 days fixed universal holiday over the core Christmas / new year week.

6) Exams / assessments are taken at the end of every semester (children may do topics / content in different orders). Key age milestone general competency exams can also be done similar to bacc.

7) this gradually spreads to university, which also has 3 intakes and three releases each year. Students do 10 semesters, the tenth being a dissertation and special project semester to reflect on their learning.

8) All schools offer a 6 hour core day and an 8-6 extended hours programme (the extra four hours / holiday dates provision are paid for) during the full year. They can choose the start / end time for their core provision. Schools can either self provide or contract out to more play / craft / sport / interests providers for the paid, non-core provision.

Benefits:

1) eradicates the  summerborns disadvantage, creates blending of years so that children are successively the youngest, mid and oldest cohort in their class. 

2) no holiday peak prices as schools vary their term dates

3) a steady trickle of school leavers and graduates into the jobs market, benefiting the economy

4) no annual cramming and stress culture

5) higher attainment

6) flexible work-life planning and convenient childcare.

7) staggering holidays and school start times will reduce congestion and pollution.

If you agree, please sign and share.