A consultation will open on 21 November on changing the school
calendar, so breaks are spread out more evenly, including a
2-week half term autumn break.
The current school calendar means that the autumn term is longer
than others. Research suggests this
term is tiring and challenging for learners and staff, as more
teaching is squeezed into this term than any other.
The number of days of school holidays and teaching days will not
change.
Some pupils, especially those from financially disadvantaged
backgrounds and those with Additional Learning Needs (ALN), find
it difficult to get back to learning after long summer breaks.
Because the summer break is long, time in the autumn term has to
be devoted to going over things rather than advancing learning.
Teachers also report more behavioural and well-being issues after
the summer break.
Under the new proposal, a week would be taken from the start of
the summer break and added to the October break, so that staff
and learners get more time to rest during the long autumn term.
Teachers and pupils will still get 13 weeks of break, but some
will be moved so they happen when they provide the most benefit.
These changes would be made from September 2025, meaning schools
would get a two-week break in October 2025 and a five-week summer
break in 2026.
The consultation will also explore additional changes that could
be taken forward in the future, but not from 2025. These changes
include the option of moving a second week from the summer break
and adding it to the Whitsun break. This would help make terms
similar lengths and make the summer term more consistent, making
it easier for pupils to learn and teachers to plan. In this case,
GCSE and A Level results days could happen in the same week. This
will be explored over the coming years on the same timeframe as
the roll out of our Made-for-Wales qualifications.
The proposal would also make the spring term more even and easier
to plan for. The two-week break in the spring always coincides
with Easter, which moves around. Keeping the spring break at a
constant midpoint and separating it from Easter would make the
term more consistent. Easter Monday and Good Friday public
holidays would still apply, teaching time for these days would be
made up elsewhere in the year.
Looking at different school term dates is part of the
Co-Operation Agreement with Plaid Cymru.
, the Minister for Education
and Welsh language said: “The long summer break can be a real
strain. Families struggle to find childcare over the six weeks,
and others struggle with the additional costs long summers
bring. We also know our most disadvantaged learners suffer
the most ‘learning loss’ from a long summer.
“There are plenty of examples of local authorities across the UK
changing their school calendar to suit local needs.
“We want to make sure education works best for pupils, teachers,
and families. We’re looking for people’s views on these changes
and what it would mean for them.”
Designated Member said: "The current school
calendar was designed a long time ago, under very different
circumstances and we are suggesting changes that could work
better for everyone, but most importantly for pupils of all ages.
“Many children and young people, especially those with additional
learning needs and those from lower income families find the
break very long, impacting negatively on their wellbeing and
education. These proposals address that while still allowing the
same amount of holidays throughout the year including a
substantial summer holiday whilst also providing a longer break
during the Autumn half term."
Jason Elsom, the Chief Executive of Parentkind, said,
“Our recent poll of 6,800 parents in Wales revealed that the
majority of parents support a move to spread school holidays more
evenly across the year, with 72% of lower income families in
favour.
“It is fair to say that the current concentration of school
holidays in the summer months results in inflated childcare and
family holiday costs, compounding the challenges faced during the
cost-of-living crisis.
“Most importantly this impacts the life experiences and chances
of the most vulnerable of children. We are pleased to see
this consultation by the Welsh Government."
Notes to editors
Other places across the UK that have made changes to their school
calendar include:
- Isle of Wight (two-week October half-term)
- Nottingham City (two-week October half-term)
- Nottinghamshire County Council (two-week October half-term,
fixed Spring break)
- Bromley (two-week October half-term) contact
- Stirling (two-week October half-term)
- Clackmannanshire (two-week October half-term)
- Falkirk (two-week October half-term)
- Sheffield (fixed Easter)
- Leeds (fixed Easter)
- Cheshire West and Chester (5 week summer, fixed Easter)
