This summer half-term holiday is a much-needed break, but one that many of us could end up denying ourselves. 

It may seem that there is still so much to be done that we can’t afford to down tools and take time out, especially following the prime minister’s announcement on Monday, confirming the government’s intention to reopen schools for early years pupils, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 on 1 June.

Possibly it seems selfish to insist on taking a week off when the rest of the country is contending with a return to work, or when we could be spending time getting more plans for online lessons refined, and there’s a clutch of e-mails to answer…

Coronavirus: Make the most of your half-term break

How can we possibly justify taking a break? Here are nine compelling reasons:

1. We need respite from the demands of the past nine weeks

The whole lockdown period has been a time of breathless haste to plan and implement teaching online as well as to accommodate our Year 11 and Year 13 students in a programme of learning beyond the exam experience they were expecting. 

The compilation of exam predicted grades has been a long consultation process. Most of us have sacrificed the Easter holidays, weekends and evenings to make the system work. 

We need the break.

2. We need a tech detox

Many teachers have been glued to computer and iPad screens for hours well in excess of health and safety advice. 

When the deadlines are tight, the email traffic much more congested and the admin overloaded there is no time to take a break and a walk to ease back aches and prevent eye strain.

It will be nice to have a holiday from the inevitable tension headaches, too.   

3. We need to balance demands and reward

Workload has risen exponentially during this time. 

Teachers have delivered - and often more than delivered.  Holidays are better recompense than a few platitudes from government ministers.  

4. We need time to reconnect with our families and friends  

In the compulsion to deliver top-notch lessons and meet school deadlines, how often have we had to put on hold the needs of our children and of friends in distress? 

There is only so much guilt we can take for failing the people we love.

5. Teachers will be doing double time when they get back 

Classrooms can only accommodate 10 to 15 students if social distancing is to be observed. What will happen to the other half of the class? 

The prospect of teaching directly and remotely at the same time is the emerging headache. Double planning and a new learning curve await us. We have yet to plateau.

6. There is no substitute for teachers

Children need their teachers. Government and even artificial intelligence providers have to admit that technology cannot replace the people who provide the education relationships that keep children safe and happy. 

So let’s avoid burnout where every Monday is an ordeal and we stagger from day to day in a mounting state of dread.

7. We are in this for the long game

There will be another seven or eight weeks ahead of relentless demands. This time teachers will have to adapt to new classroom procedures. 

The return will be anything but straightforward. If nothing else, there are very long and involved safety procedures and policies to get through.    

8. Our summer holiday may be cut short or taken away completely

If Sir Michael Wilshaw, the former Ofsted chief inspector, gets his way, the summer break will be cancelled, too, as reported on Sky News’ Sunday programme. So we should take the time now.

9. Who knows whether the sun will be shining in July and August  

The most unhelpful thing that teachers can do is to believe the government spin about the profession as heroes. We should not try to be martyrs. 

We need only look to the right-wing press of the past couple of weeks - with its insistence that the economy needs front-line workers to go back to work - to see how quickly our haloes can slip. 

We will need all the resilience we can muster to get through the last seven weeks of term.

So let’s allow ourselves the time and good weather to let go of the tension and make the most of what we have now.

Yvonne Williams is a head of English and drama in a school in the South of England