Issue - meetings

Option 1 – To approve the proposed calendar for term dates 2022/23 as in Appendix 3.

The original consultation had run from 7 January to 26 February 2021. Ten responses had been received mostly from primary headteachers. Seven felt that the October break needed reviewing. Head teachers would prefer a two-week Christmas break.

A further shortened consultation had recently taken place with headteachers. 31 had responded, 11 of which referred to the views of their staff. The majority had stated that they would prefer a two-week break at Christmas, with a one-week October break. The majority view had therefore been recommended for approval. It was important to achieve a balance and ensure adequate breaks for staff and it was felt that there was value in a longer Christmas break. Staff needed to be able to plan ahead.

The Corporate Scrutiny Committee had recommended to Cabinet that a further consultation be undertaken due to concerns that parents’ preference was for an additional week’s holiday in October rather than the majority preference from the schools, via their headteachers, for an additional week at Christmas.