INTRODUCTION OF SIX TERM SCHOOL YEAR

1. In May 2002, the Executive Member for Education instituted a programme of consultations with interested groups on the Local Government Association's (LGA) recommendation that local education authorities should introduce a six term school year. In Hampshire this would compare with the present organisation of the school year with three terms (six half terms). The Association felt that by doing so, a number of objectives would be met including

· raising standards and assisting pupils and their teachers through the avoidance of stress and providing a better environment for planning and managing the curriculum, and assessment;


· the introduction of greater standardisation and predictability to parents as well as teachers.

2. In carrying out its consultations, the County Council used a variety of methods ranging from the issue of half a million questionnaires to residents in Hampshire Now and eleven thousand to teachers and support staff, to conducting in-depth telephone interviews with a cross section of Hampshire business/employers. An independent firm of social researchers - Miller Associates - was engaged to collate, analyse and report on the results of the various consultation exercises.

3. Overall, respondents to the consultation saw clear advantages to be gained from moving to a six term year as far as teaching and learning were concerned, although there were concerns expressed about the timing of professional days and synchronicity with neighbouring local education authorities.

4. In conclusion, the Cabinet agreed in principle to move to a six term year with effect from September 2004, but deferred any decision on the model to be adopted, pending further discussions with the unions representing teachers, headteachers and other staff groups, and with neighbouring local authorities and the Local Government Association. The Cabinet agreed that in the event that by the end of March 2003 sufficient progress had not been made to ensure a smooth changeover, implementation would be delayed until September 2005, but with a fixed spring holiday being introduced, as an interim step, in the school year commencing September 2004.

5nR81103