Cowes Enterprise College has taken the decision not to alter term dates in line with the Isle of Wight Council’s shake up of the school year.
Parents now face a dilemma with a possible clash between when children at a different school are on holiday and when Cowes Enterprise College students are on holiday.
The change to the school year, which comes into effect from September 2019, includes reducing the summer holidays to just 5 weeks but extending the October half term to 2 weeks.
In a letter issued to parents this week, headteacher Rachel Kitley said:
“We are fully supportive of Councillor Brading and Island leaders and their desire to find creative solutions to improving pupil outcomes across the Island. At this juncture, however, our governors have decided to wait and see the initial outcomes of this change before deciding on our next steps”.
One parent has spoken to Island Echo about the news. They have said:
“The decision is theirs to make, however, some families have already booked expensive holidays taking advantage of the expected extra holiday duration.
“I hope the council will not issuing fines to those now finding themselves in a difficult position, having planned their trips in accordance with the new holiday arrangements”.
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Cowes Enterprise College’s term dates for 2019-2020 will be:
Autumn Term
Monday 2nd September until Friday 20th December 2019
(Half term Monday 28th October to Friday 1st November)
Spring Term
Monday 6th January 2020 until Friday 3rd April 2020
(Half term Monday 17th February until Friday 21st February)
Summer Term
Monday 20th April 2020 until Friday 17th July 2020
(Half term Monday 25th Mya until Friday 29th May)
