Issue - meetings

To consider the School Term and Holiday Dates for the Academic Year 2015-16

Councillor Michael Evans in an ad hoc statement asked whether the Cabinet member had taken account of the view of the Early Years, Children and Youth PD&S Panel, which had discussed the issue at length and voted on it.

Councillor Dine Romero explained that 4 options had been discussed by the Panel.  She assured Councillor Evans that she had taken full account of the Panel’s comments but that she had felt that the Panel’s preferred option would have led to terms of unequal length.

Councillor Romero reminded Cabinet that the school calendar had historically been based on a 195-day year, including 5 staff training days which would be different for different schools.  She asked Cabinet to agree to recommend a fixed 190-day year (with 5 training days arranged separately), while still offering schools the alternative of a 195-day calendar (with 5 training days set within).  She felt that this would make it possible in future years for schools to choose term dates which would work better for children, staff and parents, particularly where children from the same family were at different schools.

She moved the recommendations.

Councillor Katie Hall seconded the proposals.  She felt that they were an important compromise which had been reached after listening to the consultation feedback.  Parents with children at different schools were presented with difficult dilemmas.  She reminded Cabinet that it was important to do away with random length terms.

Councillor David Bellotti said that the proposals were a success story.  Schools had responded very positively the previous year.  The Council would be giving a clear recommendation while at the same time allowing for schools with special or different circumstances to make other arrangements.  The move to schools having roughly equal term dates was very welcome.

Councillor Paul Crossley said he felt that consistency of dates would be good for schools, parents and children.  He recommended the 190-day option to schools but asked them to consider the alternative suggestions if they were not able to adopt this pattern.

On a motion from Councillor Dine Romero, seconded by Councillor Katie Hall, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To NOTE that the majority of local schools and academies can already set their own term and holiday dates, by virtue of being an Academy, Voluntary Aided or Foundation School and that the Deregulation Bill currently before parliament proposes to allow every school to set their own dates;

(2) To RECOMMEND the Council’s preferred calendar of School Term and Holiday dates for the academic year 2015-16 based on a 190 day calendar (as set out in Appendix A) to all schools and academies in order to maximise consistency of dates for the benefit of children and their parents;

(3) To RECOMMEND to all school and academy governing bodies that good practice would be to consult parents and take account of their views in the event that they propose any variation from the recommended calendar; and

(4) To RECOMMEND, since a number of schools and academies have already indicated that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12

The Panel is asked to consider the School Term and Holiday Dates for the Academic Year 2015-16.

The Parent Support Services Manager introduced this item to the Panel. He explained that for the 2014-15 Academic Year the Cabinet agreed to set a calendar based on a 190 day model with 5 in-service days being taken outside of these dates. He added that this decision had not been universally popular with schools and as a result for 2015-16 the Local authority consulted on a 190 and 195 day model.

He informed them that a total of 11 schools had responded in favour of a 195 day model. A joint response on behalf of the Norton Radstock Schools also favoured the 195 day model. A number of schools suggested bringing the holiday in the 195 day model at the end of term 4 forward a week so it follows on from the two public holidays at Easter. These dates are attached to the report as Appendix C.

Councillor Loraine Morgan-Brinkhurst commented that her preference would be the 190 day model shown as Appendix A.

Councillor Liz Hardman proposed that the Panel should recommend Appendix C as it offers schools a degree of flexibility and pupils would be fresher following the Easter holidays.

Chris Batten asked if Appendix C had similar dates to those proposed by other Local Authorities.

The Parent Support Services Manager replied that other Local Authorities had been consulted and he was awaiting their reply.

Chris Batten asked if when the replies had been received they would be shared with the Cabinet Member.

The Parent Support Services Manager replied that they would.

Councillor Michael Evans commented that his preferred option was Appendix C and that he would second the proposal made by Councillor Hardman.

The Chair said that she thought that Appendix C was an even hand out of dates and gave the best structure for learning. She then asked the Panel to vote on the proposal of Councillor Hardman to recommend Appendix C which had been seconded by Councillor Evans.

The Panel voted by 5 in favour and 1 against to recommend Appendix C to the Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children & Youth.