TO:     EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR CHILDREN YOUNG PEOPLE AND LEARNING

DATE: 13 April 2021

TERM DATES FOR 2022/23

Director People

1          PURPOSE OF DECISION

1.1       To set term dates for Bracknell Forest Community and Voluntary Controlled schools and to recommend to voluntary aided or academy schools for possible adoption.

2          RECOMMENDATIONS

2.1       Following consultation with Headteachers and other local authorities it is recommended that the term dates for the academic year 2022/23 attached in Annex 1 (in two formats) be approved.

2.2       That Thursday 1 September 2022 be set as an in-service training day for all schools.

3          REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

3.1       Term dates are not set nationally.

3.2       Academies and voluntary aided schools are free to set their own term dates.

3.3       That the pattern suggested is the same as RBWM and very similar to that which has been set by some of the other neighbouring local authorities.

4          ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED

4.1       It is a statutory requirement that the local authority set dates for Community and Voluntary Controlled schools.

4.2       Academies and aided schools were copied in and were also invited to comment.

5          SUPPORTING INFORMATION

5.1       It is a statutory requirement that there be 195 school days in an academic year, including 5 in-service training days for school staff.  Various patterns of days are possible around the fixed points of Christmas, Easter and bank holidays, the wish for terms lengths to be as equal as possible and holidays to be of a reasonable length to allow pupils and staff to rest and refresh.

5.2       In deciding dates the Council considers dates being set in neighbouring authorities to avoid inconvenience to parents having children at schools in two different authorities, or where parents may work in a school in one authority but have children at a school in a different authority.

5.3       Term dates to be set are at Annex 1 in two formats.

5          CONSULTATION

Principal Groups Consulted

5.1       All Headteachers and neighbouring authorities were invited to comment.

Method of Consultation

5.2       By email and comments were invited.

Representations Received

5.3       No responses were received.

6          ADVICE RECEIVED FROM STATUTORY AND OTHER OFFICERS

Borough Solicitor

6.1       The relevant legal issues are addressed within the report.

Director of Finance

6.2       The Director of Finance is satisfied that no significant financial implications arise from this report.

Equalities Impact Assessment

6.3       An initial screening has been completed.

Strategic Risk Management Issues

6.4       Significant risks include:

ISSUE	RISK	COMMENT
Term Dates must be set across the borough for community and voluntary controlled schools to ensure all schools follow the same schooling dates	LOW	Schools may not comply with the compulsory schooling days per year.

Background Papers

            None

8          CONTACTS

Lesley Adams             School Admissions Manager

01344 354143             lesley.adams@bracknell-forest.gov.uk