Management Information Sheet

Thank you to everyone who responded to the consultation on the 2014/15 and 2015/16 school years. All comments received were taken into consideration and the dates for both years have now been set. To those schools that asked for the Royal Norfolk Show closure day to be retained, the majority who responded indicated that attendance is impaired on the following Friday and this was a major reason for moving the closure day. Although not a consultee but for interest, the Royal Norfolk Show Association itself is keen to encourage school organised visits and will therefore be supportive of this move.

The dates can be viewed on the attached calendars. They each provide 190 teaching days (in white) when schools must be open to pupils and on which home to school transport will be provided*.

Schools must select 5 days for staff development from the pupil holiday periods (in orange). We suggest that staff development takes place on the following dates:

If you choose alternative staff development days they must be taken from within the pupil holiday periods (in orange) or disaggregated to twilight sessions.

*The DfE provides general guidance that the decision maker (governing body or academy trust) must act reasonably and specifically must consider parents work commitments and childcare options and give appropriate notice to parents prior to introducing any change. Former statutory guidance on changes also highlighted the need to consult staff and consider the implications of any proposed change on existing home to school transport arrangements.

Many transport arrangements are linked with other local schools and many contracts are let for 5 years to ensure value for money. Whilst the Local Authority will seek to change contracts to meet any proposed changes additional costs will be expected to be borne by the school.