We want your views
Nottinghamshire County Council is consulting on school term times and holiday patterns for three years commencing academic year 2013/2014.
The County Council would like to find out which of two types of school holiday pattern you prefer:
- Option 1 is the current pattern
- Option 2 is a new pattern
Any responses received during this period will help inform the decision made by the Council’s Cabinet (Elected Members) regarding the organisation of the school year for all Nottinghamshire Community and Voluntary schools.
School term and holiday patterns will then be published for the next three academic years (2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16).
Although Foundation, Trust, Voluntary Aided schools and Academies have responsibility for setting their own term and holiday patterns, the Council is committed to working with all these parties to try to ensure that the school year is as consistent as possible across Nottinghamshire.
There is a current legal requirement for pupils to attend 190 school days per academic year. However, local authorities can choose the way in which those school days are allocated.
The consultation period will end on 15 April 2012. Any proposed changes would be subject to approval by the Council’s Cabinet in June 2012.
Options
Option 1
The current, traditional term and holiday pattern, based on the following principles:
- There should be three school terms per academic year
- The autumn term should begin as close as possible to 1 September
- Teaching and learning blocks should be as equal as possible in length
- 'Split' weeks (i.e. weeks that include a combination of term dates and school holidays) should be kept to a minimum
- There should be a summer holiday of approximately six weeks
Download the option 1 pattern [PDF]
Option 2
The traditional term and holiday pattern of three terms but with a fixed break of two weeks at the end of the Spring Term, based on the following principles:
- There should be three school terms per academic year
- The autumn term should begin as close as possible to 1 September
- Teaching and learning blocks should be as equal as possible in length
- 'Split' weeks (i.e. weeks that include a combination of term dates and school holidays) should be kept to a minimum
- There should be a summer holiday of approximately six weeks
- There will be a fixed two week break at the end of the Spring term. Easter would normally fall within these two weeks, but there are occasions when it will not. Schools would continue to be closed on public holidays.
Download the option 2 pattern [PDF]
Questions
What is the consultation about?
We would like to find out whether people in Nottinghamshire would prefer to keep the current term and holiday pattern for schools in the county or change to a model which incorporates a fixed two week break at the end of the Spring term. Easter would normally fall within these two weeks but there are occasions when it will not. Schools would continue to be closed on public holidays.
Why are we consulting now?
The County Council has set its school holiday patterns up to 2012/13. We are now consulting on proposed school holiday patterns for a further three academic years.
How might a new model differ from the current one?
If we moved to a fixed Spring break model instead of the current holiday pattern the changes would include:
- A greater chance of even term lengths in the Spring and Summer terms
- A fixed two week Spring break that would not always be tied to the Easter public holidays (Schools would continue to be closed on public holidays)
- Relatively little disruption to implement any changes
Will there still be the same amount of holiday for pupils and teachers?
Yes, the total number of holiday weeks will not change.
Will this mean a change to the number of working days for teachers?
No, teachers will still work for 195 days a year in school, of which five are administrative and training days.
Which schools would be affected by a change?
All Nottinghamshire schools which are maintained by the local authority, i.e. Community and Voluntary schools.
Can Academies choose their own term and holiday dates anyway?
Yes, they can, as can other types of school such as Foundation, Trust, Voluntary Aided and Free schools. However, we are committed to working with these schools in order to try to ensure that school dates are as consistent as possible across the county.
Who are you consulting with?
We are actively seeking the views of a range of people and groups directly affected by this issue, and from any other Nottinghamshire residents who have a view.
What are neighbouring Local Authorities doing?
Nottingham City Council has recently undertaken its own consultation in order to obtain the views of City residents. It has decided to introduce a new model of school year based upon five terms, commencing 2013/14. Other local authorities that border Nottinghamshire have told us that they have no immediate plans to consult on changing their school term and holiday patterns.
When does the consultation begin and end?
The consultation runs from 23 January 2012 to 15 April 2012.
How can I have my say?
You can complete the online response form.
Alternatively, you can e-mail us at schooltermconsultation@nottscc.gov.uk. Please entitle your message ‘school term consultation’.
The deadline for responses is 15 April 2012.
You can also print and return the return a paper copy of the consultation [PDF] to us at:
School Term Consultation
Education Improvement Service Business
Support Team
Lawn View House
40 Station Road
Sutton-in-Ashfield
Nottinghamshire
NG17 5GA
What will happen after the consultation?
The results of this consultation will be considered by the Council’s Cabinet who will then decide which model to adopt.
Any changes would not take effect until 1 September 2013 and will be publicised widely.
