The Cabinet Secretary for Education has today [Tuesday 4th
June 2024] confirmed that plans to change the school
holidays will not happen this Senedd term to give teachers and
staff space and time to deliver other reforms.
The decision follows a mixed response from the biggest Welsh
Government education consultation on record, generating well over
16,000 responses, which sought views on changing the school
calendar to spread school holidays out more evenly across the
year.
Proposals suggested moving a week from the start of the summer
break into the autumn break creating a two-week half term to
improve the education experiences of young people especially the
most disadvantaged and align more effectively with how families
live and work.
While a narrow majority of responses were in favour of changing
school holidays, the findings from the consultation were
equivocal and contradictory which highlights more discussion and
exploration is needed to ensure any future amendments benefit
everyone.
The pause will also allow other reforms such as the New
Curriculum for Wales and reforms of Additional Learning Needs to
be fully implemented and rolled out before other changes are
introduced.
The decision on the timing of implementation of the plans will
also be deferred to the next Senedd term.
The Education Secretary said:
“My starting point is always the best interests of children and
young people. This means ensuring reforms are properly planned
out and have the time and space to succeed.
“Opinion was hugely divided on this. To ensure we get this right,
we need to continue listening to and engaging with schools,
teachers, unions as well as children, young people and parents on
how best we can implement any changes in the future.
“I am acutely aware we are asking a lot of teachers and schools.
They are supporting our ambitious transformation of education in
Wales and they need the time and the space to ensure these
reforms deliver for children and young people. I want to
prioritise ongoing school reforms and improving attainment and
therefore, no changes will be made to the school year this Senedd
term.
“In the meantime, our priority will be to maximise the support
available to learners during the summer holidays including doing
more to target that provision towards the poorest communities
through a range of policies and activities including the School
Holiday Enrichment Programme and Community Focused Schools."
Term dates for 2025/2026 will be published by local authorities
shortly.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Findings from the consultation can be found here on Tuesday 4th
June:
