A return to a 2-week October half term holiday looks set to be approved by senior Isle of Wight councillors next week.
It follows an Island-wide consultation which attracted more than 3,250 responses, with the majority (57%) indicating a preference for an extended autumn half term holiday.
Now Cabinet members are being asked to approve the 2023/24 school holiday calendar which includes a 2-week October half term break between Monday 23rd October 2023 and Friday 3rd November 2023.
Councillor Debbie Andre, Cabinet lead for children’s services, education and skills, said:
“The decision to revert to a one-week autumn half term for 2022/23 was made using the results of a smaller consultation carried out prior to my coming into post.
“I worked closely with the team to ensure the recent consultation carried out for 2023/24 would be more thorough, offering a choice of three options and seeking views from a wide range of participants including headteachers, teaching unions, parents/carers and pupils themselves.
“The consultation this time received 3,257 responses and I would like to personally thank all of those who took the time to respond.
“There was a clear preference among all groups which we have recognised and it is on this strong evidence that the term times for 2023/24 have been set to include a two-week autumn half term break, while maintaining the statutory 195 school days, allowing for five teacher training days.”
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Not all schools use the Isle of Wight Council-agreed dates. Academies, voluntary aided, foundation and free schools set their own term dates.
The 2-week October half term was first introduced in the 2019/20 academic year. The 1-week half term was reintroduced in 2022/23 – but has now been overturned.
2023/24 School Term Dates (if agreed):
• Autumn term 2023 – Friday 1st September 2023 to Tuesday 19th December, with half term from Monday 23rd October to Friday 3rd November
• Spring term 2024 – Tuesday 2nd January 2024 to Thursday 28th March 2024, with half term from Monday 12th February until Friday 16th February
• Summer term 2024 – Monday 15th April 2024 to Friday 26th July, with half term from Monday 27th May until Friday 31st May
The Cabinet is due to meet next Thursday (12th May).
Why don’t they just shut schools altogether? The kids are never at school these days, no wonder the younger generation are so thick!
Makes me laugh that all the people say the younger generation are thick are the ones breading and creating the younger generation.
And for what it’s worth, the kids today and significantly more intelligent that we were 40 years ago.
In your dreams.
its BREEDING not breading oh intelligent one
Blimey, I’ve been away from the Island for more than 50 years! — When did they have two WEEKS in October?! When I was at school (1952-65), we were grateful for a couple of DAYS!
I agree . So many holidays and bank Holidays school days off for teacher training it’s never ending . It’s a pity we can’t have the continental school system here works much better and are so far ahead educationally speaking . No wonder parents struggle with childcare.
What they fail to mention is the costs associated with heating a school in the winter months which works in the councils favour to close! That is the main reason behind the decision, don’t be fooled! I’ve worked for the CC for many years….
In October it is usually warm with global warming so I cannot see that being a good reason to shut schools, and anyway heating should never be fully turned off in buildings as that causes many structural issues with some buildings, not necessarily the older buildings either.
As if things are not bad enough financially in this Country/World families are now having to fork out for care for two weeks, which non can afford or not many of them. This government definitely has the knife in for its residents/constituents.