Isle of Wight schoolchildren will have a 2 week October half-term holiday and a shorter Christmas break from 2023, it has been decided.
The move was approved by the Isle of Wight Council’s cabinet on Thursday, who had originally changed the school term dates, last July, to a 1 week holiday.
It means this October (2022), pupils will only have a 1 week holiday with a longer break at Christmas, but things will revert back to 2 weeks in October 2023.
The 2 week October half term holiday was first introduced in 2019 to improve pupils’ attendance during the Autumn term – but got a mixed reaction.
The move back to a 1 week break was also criticised for a lack of consultation.
Councillor Debbie Andre, cabinet member for education, said they had carried out consultation after recognising a need for it, ready to set the term dates for the 2023/24 school year.
More than 3,250 people responded to the council’s consultation with 57% supporting the 2-week break compared to 31% in favour of the 1-week.
Councillor Jonathan Bacon criticised the national inflexibility of term-time holidays which have been in place for some years now. He said he was not convinced of the educational merit the 2-week holiday brings but recognised a proper consultation had been carried out and was happy to go along with the result.
The now-approved term dates for 2023/24 are as follows:
- Autumn Term – 1st September 2023 to 19th December 2023 — with a half term from 23rd October to 3rd November
- Spring Term – 2nd January 2024 to 28th March — with a half term from 12th February to 16th February
- Summer Term – 15th April 2024 to 26th July — with a half term from 27th May to 31st May
Children enjoy a longer break at Christmas to play with new toys but adults prefer to have a longer October break so as to book cheaper foreign hols using tax-credits to pay for such
The October break won’t stay cheap for long, not when the holiday companies cotton on to the fact that the kids are off for longer- school holidays are when they make the most profit
Need to check your dates again. 19th Dec 2023 is a Tuesday. I think it is supposed to be the 22nd.
There is no evidence that a two week half-term in October improves attainment.
Island schools already struggle to attract outstanding teachers, this bizarre holiday arrangement will serve only to compound the problem and make us more isolated.
These decisions should be based solely on educational requirements, not other extenuating factors.
What outstanding teacher would want to waste their time educating the uneducable?
This is outrageous! What was the point in spending on consultations with parents if the council weren’t going to listen to our views at all?? I don’t know a single other parent who asked for this. Why on Earth do they need two weeks in October anyway? They’ve only just started to settle into the new school year, the weather is lousy and entertainment ceases for the winter! To take away from Christmas is a serious lack of insight from our despicable council. The one time of year that the children actually look forward to, where families can spend much needed quality time together. Just leave it alone, the changes are unnecessary!
I support it. Weather is not usually lousy, still quite mild time of year. Enjoyed two holidays at much cheaper prices than the other week everyone gets. Also much quieter than the manic summer months, which is a bonus, and the attractions still open.
Who and when did they consult anyone?