Consultation on the 2010/11 School Year

Towards the end of 2008 the Local Government Association with their national stakeholder group issued a 2010/11 standard school year recommendation. On the basis of feedback the LGA received from councils and professional associations, the LGA agreed to look at the year again and issue an alternative recommendation. This was specifically about an earlier start to the school year in order to incorporate a full 2 weeks break over Christmas and New Year.

The revised recommendation has now been issued. The LGA calendar sets 195 days which includes provision for 5 professional development days. On the calendar attached, we have suggested five days (shaded purple) when Norfolk schools will also be closed to pupils. Headteachers and Governors could decide to set these days for professional development or disaggregate the equivalent amount of time into after school sessions to ensure your staff receive their full entitlement for professional development, as in 2009/10.

If you have any comments on the proposed calendar please send them by 3 July 2009 to Janine Birt in the School Organisation and Review Team, Room 20, County Hall or by email to janine.birt@norfolk.gov.uk.

The feedback received will be shared with the Teachers Panel and Service Improvement Group and with Members who will be asked to approve the pattern of term dates for 2010/11.