To consider approving the calendar for school terms and holidays for community and voluntary controlled schools for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024.

That the proposed school term and holiday dates for 2022-2023 and 2023-24 for community and voluntary controlled schools as attached to this Record of Decision be approved.

It is a legal requirement for the Local Authority, as admission authority, to set term dates for community and voluntary controlled schools.  Our consultation covered a two year schedule following on from discussions with neighbour authorities.  Devon County Council have now decided to only consult on a yearly schedule due to perceived difficulties when setting dates so far ahead, but it has been agreed that holiday dates for Torbay Council to be set on a two year schedule in order to give an opportunity for our schools to plan ahead.  There have been no negative comments with regards to the proposed holiday dates, however the initial dates were looked at on the basis of bringing them in line with what is being agreed by Devon County Council   This means that the February half term in 2022 is a week earlier than initially proposed, 13-17 February and the Easter break will begin a week earlier 3-14 April to fall in line with our neighbouring local authority. 

Of the four responses received to the consultation, there were no negative responses to the dates set for the 2022-23 academic year but just a request that the February half term holiday brought forward by a week and also the Easter break being brought forward by week. As this has now been agreed to fall in line with Devon County Council’s dates the proposed dates are now mirrored with the school’s requests.  There were no negative responses to the dates set for 2023-24.

The proposed dates mirror as far as possible the dates being set by Devon County Council to minimise cross boundary conflicts for parents and staff.  Length of terms have been made as even as possible, given the placing of public holidays.  Full weeks have been set where possible to reduce the likelihood of parents taking children out of school during term time.

Failure to set the term dates would result in the authority being in breach of a statutory duty.

This decision will come into force and may be implemented on 15 March 2021 (unless the call-in process is triggered as set out in the Standing Orders – Overview and Scrutiny).

Community and voluntary controlled schools are required to provide 190 days each year for teaching pupils.  5 additional days have been included in the calendar for staff training.  This gives the schools a degree of flexibility to meet local priorities.

The following officers of the Council, individuals and organisations were consulted:

Unions, Dioceses, all Schools and Academies, neighbouring Local Authorities and Council Officers (Head of Education, Learning and Skills and Human Resources).

None