BRIGHTON and Hove Council are telling schools to take all of their teacher training days at once so parents can have a week to take their children on holiday during term time.

A report to councillors at the authority gives examples of holiday prices soaring during the summer holidays.

The city council is exploring the possibility of cutting the summer holidays and creating a "standalone" week's holiday when parents could take advantage of cheaper prices without having to take their children out of school.

We asked whether the idea was a good one and should it be introduced in Essex?

Anne Jones, executive councillor for children and learning, said: “We wouldn’t be able to tell schools to do that.

“We have a number of schools that are academies and can set their own term time.

“We don’t build our school calendar just for the calendar of school holidays. It won’t change holiday companies charging more reasonable prices.

“I don’t believe a five days of intensive teacher training is the best way to deliver school improvement. It is better served at intervals “The best teacher training would be delivered at the beginning of term, that’s my opinion.”

Donna Thresher, a parent, 41, of Kendal Close, Hullbridge, said: “I don’t think it’s fair.

"The government should work with tour operators and schools to find a balanced affordable system that is fair to all, with even a bank system for teachers to allow them time to visit family abroad at an affordable price.

“I was instrumental in getting a petition to government a couple of years back due to the cost of holidays in the set school holidays.

“As a result of that the government still hasn’t done anything and schools are being forced to make these sorts of decisions.

“I actually think this is still unfair on the teachers, when do they get to go on an affordable break with their families? Teacher training days are simply that the teachers train, or plan but they do actually work?”

Jo Mcpherson, Rochford Distict Councillor, said: “I can see the rationale behind this as it would provide a more affordable holiday for families, and allow parents to plan ahead. But, schools need to be fully consulted, does this tie in with their curriculum?

“Is there a reason that training days are spread across the year? For instance, do teachers have to have certain training periodically reviewed? If it is agreeable with schools then yes it sounds a very good idea.”

Stevie Hickman, a parent, 27, of Tunbridge Road Southend, said: “I definitely think it’s a better idea but all through the year new technology comes along all the time so there’s no point really.

“There are loads of half terms and the six weeks holiday, parents need to think ahead and take leave when it’s appropriate.

"I think they should shorten the six weeks and add a week onto the half term breaks that are only a week long, for example a four week holiday and February and October half terms to be made two weeks instead of one.”

Desi McKeown, Headteacher at The Deans School, Daws Heath Road, Benfleet, said: “We pick the training days throughout the year because of certain things we need to do at those times.

“If we took them all at the start of term or end of term we would be disadvantaged for our development and addressing the needs of our pupils and school.

“It is important to have flexibility. Different schools have different needs, they need to have flexibility.”

Paul Collins, a parent, 58, of Green Lane, Eastwood, said: “Parents do get frustrated about Teacher Training days, especially where they have children at different schools, primary and secondary, for example and they have to cover different days as a consequence.

“I would like to see the Local Authority give guidance on this matter to its Schools to try and keep these differences to a minimum.”

Darren Parsons, director of Kaos youth club, in Ashingdon Memorial Hall, Ashingdon Road, Rochford, said: “I am a parent. It is good idea. It's cheaper to go away in term time and gets them out the way.

“I would take mine out as they can learn lots from family holiday time and not get ripped off by holiday companies and so it does not break there learning time up when they take odd days.”

Gregory Rodulfo, associate principle at Belfairs Academy, of Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, said: “I think that is actually using the training days to just surfice the problems of taking their children away.

“Training days are set up so when the need arises, for the progress of young people, issues can be addressed and to address anything new that is introduced.

“If you have it over the course of the week what are you going to do when you need a day to move things on, they are used to deliver and evaluate.

“If you put everything into one week it will lack improvement. We use those days for reflection.”