Management Information Sheet
Update on the School Calendar Proposal for 2016 onwards
Information and background
From September 2016, subject to the passage of the Deregulation Bill, responsibility for consulting and setting term dates will rest with individual schools. At present, this responsibility sits only with VC, VA and Academy schools as well as with FE and Sixth Form Colleges.
During 2014 we shared with you the methodology, principles and developing models from a cross phase working group, that could, after wider consultation, be adopted as the 'Norfolk model' of term dates from September 2016. Their proposals were shared during the summer term both online (MI sheet 143/14) and at the series of termly Headteacher meetings. Feedback was fairly limited, but those that responded shared similar views and the working group met in the summer term to review the responses and agree their next steps. This resulted in 2 proposed models (B and C attached) which reflect the key themes from the feedback received. Model C was developed to address the concern over the length of the second half of the summer term.
Alongside this piece of work, the Regional Term Dates Group, which met in December, shared the view that a coordinated approach to minimise impact on families and transport is preferable, wishing to continue, wherever possible, by aligning term dates with their neighbouring regions. The proposed model from this group is attached (Eastern Region Model). Our neighbouring authorities Suffolk, Cambridge and Lincolnshire have confirmed that they would want to align their calendars with neighbours where possible and are consulting on the Eastern Region Model.
We have always consulted with schools and other stakeholders on the calendars put in place as required by The Education (School Day and School Year) (England) Regulations 1999. Given the new freedoms, the Government would still expect schools to work with each other and the Local Authority to ensure coordination is in place for 2016/17 and beyond.
The Headteacher Associations NSEL, NASSH and NPHA after consulting with their membership, formally confirmed to us that, they would prefer any considerations for change to be coordinated as part of a wider Norfolk County Council consultation as the disadvantages and complications outweighed any potential advantages, where individual schools have term dates at variance with their neighbours. It is recognised that serious difficulties could be incurred by schools taking an individual, isolated approach to the school calendar: for parents with children at different schools, for staff with children at other schools and for County transport. Therefore the Local Authority will undertake a wide consultation on behalf of all schools other than those that elect to undertake a similar exercise themselves.
Action Required
Consider the three models below:
Then let us know your preferred model by responding to our online survey at https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/144397XIGVG.
Should you choose to opt to set your own pattern of dates, would you please register that intention on the survey? Schools that diverge from the 'Norfolk model' will need to be able to evidence their own separate consultation with stakeholders, (Dioceses, staff professional associations, staff and parents etc). You should also note that any additional costs incurred by the LA for transport from divergent days, will be recharged directly to the school.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All schools are asked to respond by 13 February 2015 please as this will decide which one model will be adopted and will inform us which schools opt to set their own pattern of dates.
During the second half of the Spring term we will open the wider consultation on the adopted model on behalf of the Headteacher Associations.