In spite of its merits, the proposal just doesn't add up. Firstly there is little evidence that extending contact hours improves aggregate performance; most studies show a very small correlation between contact hours and attainment, with multiple outliers.

Education secretary Michael Gove is the subject of a petition calling for him to work in a comprehensive secondary school for a term, shortly after he...

England's schoolchildren should have shorter holidays and spend more time in the classroom, Michael Gove said on Thursday. The Education Secretary ...

Michael Gove's proposal to ban term-time holidays for schoolchildren is woefully misguided and simply highlights how out of step he is. Mr Gove, it's a no-brainer. Travel does wonders for kids' education. Homework can be caught up on, but childhood - and that sponge-like capacity for learning - is far too fleeting an opportunity to miss.

Half term is greeted with a groan by many parents. Keeping the children entertained can be costly, tiresome and headache-inducing. But it doesn't h...

The great Christmas getaway has begun with schools breaking up for the festive period. The AA said it expected up to 18 million cars will take to t...