Thank you to everyone who contributed to our recent consultation to adjust the school day and school calendar and introduce a two-week half-term break in the autumn term.
We have decided to go ahead on a pilot basis for the academic year 2023-24 across all our schools. We will adjust the term dates on school websites and schools will update you further about adjustments to the school day.
We know, however, that some parents asked to know as soon as possible about dates – the autumn term break in 2023 will be Monday 23rd October until Friday 3rd November. We will review this before deciding on future years.
Overall, there was a majority of staff and parents who responded in favour of the proposal. We are looking carefully at those who did not agree with the proposal and will look at what opportunities there may be to promote half-term activities.
Tim Coulson, chief executive of Unity Schools Partnership, said: “We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the consultation.
“We received a wide range of views about the plans and there was a majority among staff and parents in favour of the proposals.
“We would also like to thank people who made some very sensible suggestions including promoting more half-term activities and this is something we will look at going forward.
“We feel it is important to extend the October half-term as a pilot scheme in the first instance, so it gives the trust and our schools a chance to see if this proposal works in practice.”