Contact: Melanie Saunders, Education Officer (Secondary/14-19), telephone: 01962 846364, e-mail : [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That approval be given to consult on the dates of school terms and holidays 2008/2009 as outlined in the attached report and presented in Appendix A.

2 Reason

2.1 This decision supports the second priority of the Corporate Strategy, maximising wellbeing, by establishing more balanced term lengths with regular breaks. This helps schools and families to plan learning more effectively. It also supports schools and their communities in working together during the school term and in maximising the use of resources out of school hours.

2.2 This decision contributes to all aspects of The Children Act. Properly structured periods of learning and rest help children to remain healthy, enjoy their school time and achieve more. Children are safer in school and good attendance supports educational achievement laying the foundation for a positive contribution to society and economic well-being. The publication of dates well in advance enables families to plan holidays and arrange childcare so that school attendance need not be compromised.

3 Other options considered and rejected

3.1 The only other option considered was a return to school on Tuesday 2 September, making the final day of the school year, Tuesday 21 July 2008. This pattern was rejected on the basis of previous discussions with Conditions of Service Working Party (CoSWP) concerning split weeks which concluded that better student attendance was encouraged when the greater part of such a week was scheduled as school days.

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

None

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

None

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

None

Approved by: Date:

Councillor D A Kirk

Executive Member for Education