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Back to school: Why does the academic year start in September? | Back to school: Why does the academic year start in September? |
(20 days later) | |
Most children in England will be heading back to school this week or even having their first day in class. But why does the school year start in September? | Most children in England will be heading back to school this week or even having their first day in class. But why does the school year start in September? |
Let's take a quick history lesson. | Let's take a quick history lesson. |
School wasn't compulsory until 1880 and at that time children worked in fields and factories like their parents. | School wasn't compulsory until 1880 and at that time children worked in fields and factories like their parents. |
Paula Kitching, a fellow of the Historical Association, said the school year was set around the busiest times for farming and industry in England. | Paula Kitching, a fellow of the Historical Association, said the school year was set around the busiest times for farming and industry in England. |
"Through the winter months there was less to do, so children being absent for part of the day for school was acceptable," she said. | "Through the winter months there was less to do, so children being absent for part of the day for school was acceptable," she said. |
"But from late May onwards everyone was increasingly needed to do their bit on the land - fruit picking, livestock care, harvesting and preserving. | "But from late May onwards everyone was increasingly needed to do their bit on the land - fruit picking, livestock care, harvesting and preserving. |
"In many communities it would be the boys of 10 to 13 that would do the shepherding in the higher pastures and be away for days or more at a time." | "In many communities it would be the boys of 10 to 13 that would do the shepherding in the higher pastures and be away for days or more at a time." |
Younger children would help in the home looking after their siblings and doing laundry while older children and parents took on the physical labour, she said. | Younger children would help in the home looking after their siblings and doing laundry while older children and parents took on the physical labour, she said. |
"Therefore in the autumn, as some of the activities wound down, there was time for children to attend school." | "Therefore in the autumn, as some of the activities wound down, there was time for children to attend school." |
Stephanie Spencer, from the History of Education Society, said the school year started in September to increase the likelihood of children attending. | Stephanie Spencer, from the History of Education Society, said the school year started in September to increase the likelihood of children attending. |
The Education Act of 1880 stated that all children aged between five and 10 had to go to school. | The Education Act of 1880 stated that all children aged between five and 10 had to go to school. |
But by the early 1890s truancy was a problem and attendance was falling short at 82%, according to Parliament records. | But by the early 1890s truancy was a problem and attendance was falling short at 82%, according to Parliament records. |
In 1901 it was estimated 300,000 children worked outside school hours, the records show. | In 1901 it was estimated 300,000 children worked outside school hours, the records show. |
"As parents had to pay for their children to attend school until a change in law in 1891, parents not only lost the wages of the children but also had an additional outlay," said Ms Spencer. | "As parents had to pay for their children to attend school until a change in law in 1891, parents not only lost the wages of the children but also had an additional outlay," said Ms Spencer. |
"It was a case of getting parents to send their children to school and [the government] knew there was no hope of getting them there in the summer." | "It was a case of getting parents to send their children to school and [the government] knew there was no hope of getting them there in the summer." |
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