The proposed 5 term year has longer terms and the data below shows that attendance over a long half terms decreases.
On a mean average the drop in attendance from September to October half term is 1.06%, whereas from October to Christmas (on average an 8 week half term) it is a huge 6.6%. So nearly 7% fewer children are attending school at the end of the term than the beginning.
From January to February half term there is actually a 2.58% increase in attendance, this follows the pattern of a long half term with rapidly decreasing attendance that continues with low attendance even coming back to school after a break.
From February to Easter there is a small 1% drop during this generally shorter half term (on average it is 5 weeks).
From Easter to Whit week there is a 0.38% decrease during this 6 week half term and then from June to July there is a slightly higher decrease in attendance, a mean average of 1.6%, this can be seen in the last week or two of school.
When the half terms are 7 or more weeks long there is a mean average of 2.6% decrease in attendance whereas when the half terms are 6 weeks or fewer the attendance decrease is 1.4%.
From February to Easter there is a small 1% drop during this generally shorter half term (on average it is 5 weeks).
From Easter to Whit week there is a 0.38% decrease during this 6 week half term and then from June to July there is a slightly higher decrease in attendance, a mean average of 1.6%, this can be seen in the last week or two of school.
When the half terms are 7 or more weeks long there is a mean average of 2.6% decrease in attendance whereas when the half terms are 6 weeks or fewer the attendance decrease is 1.4%.
