Issue - meetings

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Children and Young People which provided the results on the joint consultation with the Greater Merseyside Local Authority Learn Together Partnership on proposals for a standard school year.  The report recommended approval for the Standard School Year and its implementation in Halton from September 2010.

The Board was advised that The Local Government Association (LGA) was championing the splitting of the school year (September – July) into six fixed terms of approximately equal length, whilst accommodating the Easter celebration.  

In May 2008, it was agreed by the Greater Merseyside Directors of Children’s Services to conduct a joint consultation to implement the standard school year based on the principles which were outlined in the report for consideration.

The Board was further advised that Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens, Knowsley and Halton had all participated in the consultation. Wirral, Warrington and Cheshire (as was) had declined to participate this year but had asked to be kept informed of the results.

In respect of the consultation document in Halton, 22,000 hard copies had been sent out to stakeholders. Information was also available on the intranet, internet, local media and the Inside Halton magazine which is delivered to every residence in the borough.

In Halton, 751 people had responded and details of the responses were appended to the report for Members information.

In addition, the results from other Local Authorities that participated in the consultation were similar to Halton’s with an overwhelming 83% of all respondents agreeing to the proposals.  

It was reported that Liverpool would commence the Standard School Year from September 2009.  Knowsley and St Helen’s had agreed to implement the standard school year and this would start from the academic year 2010/2011. Wirral were considering adopting the standard school year from 2011/2012 but were waiting to see the position of West Cheshire and Chester before proceeding.  Therefore, it was recommended that Halton adopt the Standard School year from 2010/2011 in line with Knowsley and St Helen’s.

Reason for the Decision

To establish set holiday periods and even out the length of school terms.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not to establish a standard school year.

Implementation Date

The implementation date would be the academic year 2010/2011.

RESOLVED: That Halton adopt the Standard School Year and agree to its implementation from September 2010.