A HEADTEACHER has defended plans for an extra-long half term from next week.

The mid-term February break will be six days longer than usual for some pupils at the Colchester Academy as the school moves into its new building.

Two staff training days will be used for packing tomorrow and Friday, while pupils will return on Thursday and Friday two weeks later.

Some parents have said the school has not considered the impact on students at the school.

But headteacher Barry Hersom said the move could not be done any quicker.

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