Cheshire East Council are holding a public consultation as they consider standardising school term dates.
As part of this process the Council are proposing that the Whitsun half term break will be one week, which could prove unpopular with many parents because at the moment primary schools have the option of having an additional week's holiday at Whitsun.
This year 35 out of 123 primary schools in Cheshire East have exercised that option, including Alderley Edge Community Primary School which has had a two week Whitsun holiday for many years.
They are also proposing that in future all terms will start on a Monday (or Tuesday if a Bank Holiday precedes this date) and where a school is only open for part of a week, this will be for a minimum of three school days to encourage attendance.
It is recommended that the October half term will always be the last full week of that month, February half-term will always be the third full week in that month and the Easter Break, renamed Spring break, will always be in the first two full weeks of April, with the Good Friday and Easter Monday Bank Holidays remaining. Whilst the Christmas and New Year break will continue to be the same.
Commenting on the proposed changes Chris Perry, Headmaster at Alderley Edge Community Primary School said "I feel that standardising the school year would make a great deal of sense especially fixing the Easter holiday.
"As most people are aware, the Easter weekend can be very early or very late (as is the case this year) which can mean that one half term is particularly short whilst another can be much longer. Standardising the terms would certainly mean that planning and delivering the curriculum would be much improved.
"One concern I do have is stopping the opportunity for a two week Whit holiday. Our school opted to start taking a two break at Whit approximately 8 years ago and this has proved very welcome and popular for many parents. I think it has allowed parents to take a two week holiday (other than in the summer holiday) during a time of year when the weather is reasonable across the UK and Europe."
The Council are recommending that these proposals are introduced for the academic year 2012/13 to provide a more even pattern of teaching and learning throughout the year, to assist in improving patterns of attendance and to improve consistency with schools in neighbouring authorities.
Cheshire East Council is responsible for setting school term dates for the majority of schools in the area but can only recommend them for Foundation, Aided and Academy schools.
Councillor Gaddum, Cabinet member for children and families, said "This authority is aware that differing school term dates cause all manner of problems for parents, teachers and the wider community.
"The consultation is proposing we bring transparency and clarity to the school term dates. Cheshire East's school term dates are somewhat different to that of neighbouring authorities – we are proposing a standardised holiday pattern to avoid frustration and annoyance in the future.
"The consultation into standardising school term dates is proposing the alignment of school term dates across Cheshire East and with other authorities in the Learn Together Partnership (LTP)."
The LPT is made up of Cheshire East Council, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Wirral Council, Liverpool City Council, Sefton Council, Knowlsley Council, St Helens Council, Warrington Borough Council and Halton Borough Council.
Councillor Gaddum added: "Adopting the principles of the LTP would include the removal of the current two-week break for Whitsun. I am aware this would have an impact on some parents and I am interested to hear their views on this proposal."
The consultation will run from March 25th to May 20th, at the same time as a public consultation on changes to home to school transport and complex and special needs transport, to give parents and interested parties the opportunity to comment on all the proposals at the same time.
Anyone who is interested in these issues is encouraged to attend one of the four drop-in events that are being organised. Residents can attend at any point during the session and Council staff will be on hand to answer questions and record feedback on both topics.
The drop-in events are as follows:
- Tuesday, April 5 – Assembly Room, Macclesfield Town Hall – 2pm to 4pm and 5pm to 8pm;
- Thursday, April 7 – Alexandra Suite, Crewe Alexandra FC – 2pm to 4pm and 5pm to 8pm;
- Wednesday, April 13 – Middlewich Community Church – 2pm to 4pm and 5pm to 8pm; and
- Thursday, April 14 – Main Hall, New Life Church Congleton – 4pm to 7pm.
Director of children and family services Lorraine Butcher said: "I would encourage as many people as possible to attend these drop-in events to ask questions and make their feelings known.
"These proposals will affect a lot of people and it is important to stress that no decisions have yet been made and any final outcomes will only come as a result of the feedback we receive during these consultations."
More information on the two consultations, and an online questionnaire that can be submitted as part of each consultation, is available at www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/schools.
Photo: Councillor Hilda Gaddum.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
It has also shortened the summer break which has been a relief to me as a working mum (without grandparent access ) as I only have to find care for my child for 5 not 6 weeks. Also competition at work between parents to get half term off work is alleviated with having this extra week.
And...the weather is usually good this time of year compared to August, a great time for taking holidays.