Agenda item - The alignment of INSET days and the pattern of school holidays

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Agenda item

The alignment of INSET days and the pattern of school holidays

(Report to follow)

Decision:

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.

Minutes:

8.1       Ellen Mulvihill, Head of Behaviour & Attendance, introduced the report and explained that Richard Barker, Head of School Organisation, had sent his apologies. 

 

8.2       It was explained that a report was brought to the Children, Young People & Skills Committee in March outlining the proposals. The consultation period was then opened between 27 April and 20 May 2016 and this sought views on whether the Council should encourage schools to co-ordinate INSET days and how residents would prefer schools to take their allocation of INSET days and sought views on how residents felt about the current arrangement of school term dates and whether people felt they should be changed to create a week of holiday outside the normal pattern of school holidays. 1,506 responses to the consultation had been received.

 

8.3       The Head of Behaviour & Attendance explained to the Committee that a formal consultation would be undertaken with stakeholders from 7 June - 28 June and that it was anticipated that a decision would be made by the Executive Director by 4 July 2016.

 

8.4       Councillor Daniel noted that child poverty and the cost of living was increasing; therefore, this could help families. She added that she was supporting the proposals and would be agreeing the recommendations.

 

8.5       Councillor Brown stated that the additional week should be planned to coincide with the extended summer, as the Easter half term fluctuated every year. She added that if all authorities changed the patterns of school holidays, the prices for holidays would be increased.

 

8.6       Amanda Mortensen noted that removing a full week off of the summer holidays would be better for parents and carers, rather than taking a few days from each half term.

 

8.7       Martin Jones stated that it would benefit families who could afford to have holidays abroad and by extending the autumn half term, this could result in children having an additional week off school when the weather was not as good. The Officer clarified that it would not be viable to rearrange the holidays to extend the Easter break.

 

8.8       Councillor Taylor noted that he would be agreeing with the recommendations and that he supported the report because children were often at a disadvantage having a long summer break. He added that the autumn term was often the longest term, which could be hard for younger children starting back at school after the summer break. The Chair agreed with Councillor Taylor.

 

8.9       In response to the Youth Council representative, the Head of Behaviour & Attendance agreed to clarify if young people had been consulted and would feed this back to the Youth Council.

 

8.10    In response to Councillor Mac Cafferty, the Executive Director of Children’s Services explained that higher holiday prices over the school holidays was an international issue and Brighton & Hove would not have the ability to change this for the week created in the autumn term. The Chair added that it would be an opportunity for cheaper holidays and could prevent parents from taking children out of term time for holidays.

 

8.11    RESOLVED

 

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

 

2)    That the Committee notes 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)    That the Committee notes that the decision as to the pattern of school holidays is delegated to the Executive Director Families, Children and Learning.

 

4)    That the Committee notes 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)    That the Committee recommends 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.

Supporting documents:

 


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