Decision details

The purpose of this report is to ask the cabinet member to agree the school term and holiday dates for 2012/13 for Wiltshire’s Community, Voluntary Controlled and Community Special Schools.

It was decided to consult on a 195 term day calendar for 2012/13 based on the results of previous years’ consultation. This had revealed that the majority of schools were not in favour of options showing less than 195 days due to the lack of flexibility offered for the setting of teacher development days and therefore the difficulties in securing quality trainers.

A protocol for the setting of school term & holiday dates has been endorsed by the Teachers Joint Consultative Committee and County Secretaries (see Appendix A). In line with the recommendations set out in this protocol, two 195 term day calendars were proposed for consultation based on the Local Government Association’s Standard School Year.

Consultations with schools, neighbouring authorities, members, public and other interested parties have been completed (see Appendix B).

The Joint Consultative Committee considered and noted the consultation responses at its meeting on 10 March (see Appendix C) and is recommending the consultation dates proposed in Option 2 of Appendix C.