Contact: Melanie Saunders, Education Officer (Secondary/Post-16), telephone 01962 846364, e-mail: [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

1 That the school term and holiday dates as set out in Appendix 1, Option A be approved for the school year 2006/2007.

2 Reason

2.1 This supports aim 1 of the Corporate Strategy (maximising life opportunities) by seeking agreement on term and holiday dates to support the planning of learning in schools.

3 Other options considered and rejected:

3.1 Two patterns of term and holiday dates for 2006/2007 were considered and rejected. One of these was the original pattern agreed with the Hampshire Conditions of Service Working Party (CoSWP), which did not take account of the later national agreement reached by the Local Government Association (LGA) Standing Committee on the School Year. The other was the 190 day model with split weeks at Easter and Christmas which the LGA Standing Committee recommended, Appendix 2.

3.2 The term and holiday dates set out in Appendix 1 represent adherence to the general recommendations made by the LGA for "reasonable standardisation," whilst retaining the preferred 195 day model and two complete weeks at Easter.

4 Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted

None

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

Not applicable

6 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent

Not applicable

Approved by: Date:

Councillor D A Kirk

Executive Member for Education