Decision - The alignment of INSET days and the pattern of school holidays

RESOLVED –

1)    The Committee considered the responses to the public consultation on proposals for the alignment of INSET days and the pattern of school holidays.

2)    The Committee noted the comments expressed by school leadership in relation to the alignment of INSET days, and recommended to the Executive Director that in formulating the pattern of school holidays the likely approach of governing bodies to INSET days should be taken into account.

3)    The Committee noted that the decision as to the pattern of school holidays is delegated to the Executive Director Families, Children and Learning.

4)    The Committee noted the recent engagement exercise, and that there would be a further consultation in relation to any specific proposals as to school holidays in the academic year 2017/18.

5)    The Committee recommended to the Executive Director that further consultation as to the pattern of school holidays should include a specific proposal which provides for a stand-alone week which would fall outside of the existing pattern of school holidays, so as to provide more flexibility for parents throughout the year and lower-income families in particular the chance to take holidays that would otherwise be unaffordable.