School term times spark debate (From Basingstoke Gazette)

School term times spark debate

12:00pm Monday 30th January 2012 in News By Emily Roberts

SCHOOL term-dates for 2013-14 are set to be approved by the county council – but it hasn’t been a straightforward process.

A report, prepared for Councillor Roy Perry, executive lead member for children’s services at Hampshire County Council, said school terms have been the subject of national and local debate in recent years, with the Local Government Association (LGA) trying to establish a ‘National School Year.’ But the report said not all authorities, which are responsible for setting the 190-day school year, have agreed to abide by the recommendations.

In deciding the school dates for 2013-14, the council noted the recommendations by the LGA as providing a “very good basis.”

But the LGA model, which proposed that Thursday, January 2, 2014, should be the first day of the spring term, would, if adopted, restrict the Christmas holiday period to much less than the council’s preferred model of two whole weeks, including three weekends.

The council is, instead, proposing Monday, January 6, 2014, as the first day of the spring term, taking the extra two days from the start of the autumn term, which would begin on Tuesday, September 3, rather than September 5, 2013.

The report said: “Properly structured periods of learning and rest help children remain healthy, enjoy their school time and achieve more.

“The publication of dates well in advance enables families to plan holidays and arrange childcare so school attendance need not be compromised.”

A consultation on the dates was held with schools in Hampshire, and seven responded, including Kings Furlong Junior School, in Upper Chestnut Drive, Basingstoke.

Staff there complained the summer holiday has two half-weeks with six weekends, rather than six whole weeks and seven weekends.

They suggested finishing on Friday, July 25, 2014, rather than July 23, and returning on Monday, September 8, 2014, rather than Tuesday, September 2, and taking the extra day from the Easter holiday.

A decision will be made about the term dates on February 1.