SUMMARY/PURPOSE

1. To receive a report on the research commissioned by the Executive on 21 May 2002 and to reach a decision about whether the Local Government Association proposals for a Standard Term Year should apply to Isle of Wight schools from the academic year 2004-05

CONFIDENTIAL/EXEMPT ITEMS

2. This report is not confidential.

BACKGROUND

3. The Local Government Association (LGA) published, in December 2001, proposals to make changes to the structure of the school year. They asked that Local Education Authorities (LEAs) consult with stakeholders, come to a decision on the proposals and communicate that decision to the LGA.

4. The original proposals are set out in Paper B of the meeting of the Education, Community Development and Lifelong Learning Select Committee (11/02/02). After full discussion at this committee it was resolved that consultation should take place with major stakeholders. The results of the 14 meetings organised for that purpose were presented as Paper B and Appendices at the Select Committee meeting (13/05/02). The regularisation of the proposed 4 terms after Christmas was popular but the first phase of consultation had revealed a division of opinion on that aspect of the proposals that advocated a shorter summer holiday followed by a 2 week break in October. At the meeting of the Executive (21/05/02) it was resolved that support should be given to the LGA proposals but that further research should be commissioned on this one remaining area of controversy. The results are reported in Paragraph 9.

STRATEGIC CONTEXT

5. The Corporate Plan objective of Raising Achievement is addressed by the LGA Report’s contention that its proposal for regularising term length will provide the optimum structure for teaching and learning. Predictable and standardised term length can contribute to Improving Health …. and the Quality of Life for all associated with schools. The general thrust to promote e-government transactional processes was encouraged by using the Council’s website for consultation purposes.

CONSULTATION

6. From late February to early June the following interest groups were represented at meetings where the proposals were explained: teacher unions; teaching and non-teaching staff in Pre-school, Primary, Middle and High School Sectors; Island Tourism Association; Island Teaching Council; parents; students and governors. The results of this first phase consultation are available in Paper B and Appendices of the Select Committee Report (13/05/02).

7. The second phase of consultation (May to October 2002) was concerned specifically with gauging opinion on the most controversial of the LGA’s proposals viz: that the Summer holiday should be reduced to 5 weeks and that the week so gained should be added to the existing half-term week in October. The Executive determined that this proposal should be judged against the counter proposition that the existing 6 weeks summer break should be retained (with the corollary that the October break would remain at 1 week).

8. Consultation on this specific issue took the following forms: a questionnaire to all staff who work in schools (results appear as Appendices G to J); an Isle of Wight Radio ‘phone-in on the subject; an Isle of Wight County Press advertisement summarising the pros and cons of the two positions together with a ‘coupon’ for the readers to express their opinions (results appear as Appendices D to F and K to N); ‘phone conversations with governors and parents all of whom were encouraged to register their views formally using the ‘coupon’ or the Isle of Wight Council Website version of this coupon.

9. It would seem from the Appendices that 61% of respondents favour the status quo and 39% the LGA proposal.

10. It is not necessary to reject the LGA proposals as a whole because their structure allows for 5 teaching days to be varied on a local basis. If the conclusion is to adopt the recommendation, the LEA would add 5 teaching days to the LGA’s proposed summer holidays and subtract 5 teaching days from their recommended fortnight break in late October.

FINANCIAL/BUDGET IMPLICATIONS

11. None.

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

12. The LEA has the power to determine term and holiday dates (Section 41, School Standards and Framework Act 1998).

OPTIONS

13. a) To accept the majority view, expressed in the consultation, that the school holidays, remain at 6 weeks and adapt the LGA proposals accordingly.

b) To reject the majority view and adopt the LGA proposals in full without adaptation.

EVALUATION/RISK MANAGEMENT

14. Option a) forms the recommendation because to consult widely and then ignore the majority view carries the risk of damaging the democratic process.

15. The recommendation does not entail any financial risk.

16. The recommendation allows for post-Christmas standardisation of term lengths (perceived benefit) but acknowledges local feeling regarding summer holiday length.

RECOMMENDATIONS

17. To adopt the LGA proposals for the Standard Term Year but to utilise the in-built local flexibility days to maintain the existing length of the summer holiday.

BACKGROUND PAPERS

18. Select Committee for Education, Community Development and Lifelong Learning Papers for meetings on: 11 February 2002 and 13 May 2002.

19. Executive: Committee papers for 21 May 2002.

20. The full LGA proposals are available at www.lga.gov.uk.

21. Appendices A to N.

Contact Point : Kim Johnson Telephone: 823410 Email: [email protected]

D PETTITT

Strategic Director

Education and

Community Development

J WAREHAM

Portfolio Holder for Education and Lifelong Learning