Archived decisions

Hampshire County Council

Cabinet

23 December 2002

Report on the consultations about a six term year

Report of the County Education Officer

Contact: Bob Lloyd-Jones, ext 6364

1. Summary

1.1 A decision is sought whether or not to adopt a six term year from September 2004, following the model recommended by the independent commission employed by the Local Government Association (LGA).

1.2 On 19 November 2002, the Education Policy Review Committee gave advice to the Executive Member for Education and the Cabinet, which was amplified as advice for the Cabinet by the Executive Member on decision day on 21 November 2002 as follows:

    (i) The County Council should take an in principle decision to move to a six term school year with effect from September 2004 based on:

      (a) a two-week October break

      (b) INSET days included in the calendared school year (i.e. 195 days in the school term time)

      (c) a fixed spring holiday in the first two weeks of April, with Good Friday and Easter Monday as holidays if they fall outside the spring holiday

      (d) negotiations with the LGA and our neighbouring authorities to move forward in concert as far as possible

      (e) continued discussions with the unions representing the teachers, headteachers and other staff on resolving the details of implementation

    (ii) That in the event that sufficient progress has not been made pursuant to (i) (d) and (e) above, by the end of March 2003, the implementation be delayed to September 2005 but that a fixed spring holiday be introduced in the school year commencing September 2004 as an interim step.

2. Reason

2.1 The change to a six term year is being recommended by the LGA as an important move to further support the raising of standards in schools by reducing unduly long term times and introducing greater calendar consistency for curriculum planning purposes.

2.2 Hampshire County Council needs to adopt a clear position whether or not to adopt the six term year. The LGA and many neighbouring authorities will take particular note of Hampshire's decision, particularly as it is one of the largest local education authorities with a reputation for high standards.

3. Other options considered and rejected

3.1 Implementation of the LGA's proposals for September 2003 were considered by officers and rejected as being unrealistic because:

    (i) The County Council has already agreed the calendar for the academic year 2003/2004

    (ii) There was insufficient time to conduct a full consultation exercise.

3.2 Adoption of other models such as the five term year are not recommended because of the difficulties arising from trials run elsewhere in England.

4. Conflictions of interest declared by the decision maker or a member or officer consulted

4.1 Not applicable.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

5.1 Not applicable.

6. Reasons for the matter being dealt with if urgent

6.1 Not applicable.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - Background Documents

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB The list excludes:

1. Published works

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

TITLE FILE

Approved by Date of decision

Councillor T K Thornber CBE