Agreement will be sought from the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education to revise the term dates for the school years 2018/19 and 2019/20.
In March 2016, the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform agreed to determine the school year term dates for 2017/18, 2018/19 and 2019/20. This followed a six week consultation with all schools and other key stakeholders such as governors (including parent groups), the diocesan bodies, trade unions and other neighbouring authorities. The general public was also encouraged to participate.
Feedback from this consultation included a request from a few teachers that Term 5 should end later in 2018/19 and 2019/20 to help regulate the length of each term.
Subsequently, the decision was taken to extend Term 5 in 2019 from 23 to 27 days with term ending on 31st May 2019 and Term 6 beginning on 10th June 2019. In 2020, Term 5 was extended from 25 to 28 days with term ending on 29th May 2010 and Term 6 beginning on 8th June 2020.
Since this decision, examination dates for secondary school pupils have been released by Exam Boards/Awarding Bodies. In 2019 and 2020, secondary education level exams have been scheduled to take place during the first week of June. It is therefore necessary to hold a consultation on the proposal to revise the date on which Term 5 ends in both 2019 and 2020.
The outcome of this consultation and revised term dates for 2018/19 and 2019/20 will be reported to the Children, Young People and Education Cabinet Committee taking place on Thursday 22nd June 2017.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Affects more than two Electoral Divisions;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Division affected: (All Division);
Notice of proposed decision first published: 29/06/2017
Decision due: Not before 27th Jun 2017 by Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education
Reason: In order that the proposed decision can be published for a minimum of 28 days, in accordance with statutory requirements
Lead member: Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education
Lead director: Keith Abbott
Department: Education & Young People's Services
Contact: David Adams, Assistant Director Education (South Kent) Tel: 03000 414989 Email: david.adams@kent.gov.uk Tel: 01233 898559.
Consultees
Consultation to revise the term dates for school years 2018/19 and 2019/20 will begin in May 2017 for 4 weeks. The proposed revised term dates will be circulated to all schools and key stakeholders.
Financial implications: There are no direct cost implications arising from the decision on the school calendar. However, if individual foundation, voluntary aided schools, academies or free schools determine a different pattern of term dates, they may incur additional costs in relation to home to school transport, as the Local Authority passes any additional costs on to the schools concerned.
Legal implications: None.
Equalities implications: An Equality Impact Assessment will be completed before the Children, Young People and Education Cabinet Committee meeting on 22nd June 2017.