Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet agreed the school term dates for 2007-08.

The cabinet discussed two options - the Local Government Association proposal and an alternative model from the Eastern Region. The Eastern Region Model was agreed by the Cabinet because it has a fairer pattern of term dates.

The Local Government Association (LGA) proposal meant that the spring break would not coincide with the Easter weekend and may result in disruption for pupils. It was felt that there was no justification for this disruption of detaching the spring break from the Easter weekend. This has been the main reason for choosing the Eastern Region model.

Councillor Patricia O ‘Brien, portfolio holder for Children, Schools and Young People’s Services said: "The Eastern Region model keeps the Easter weekend in the spring holiday and is no more uneven in term length then the LGA proposals. All the teacher associations support our alternative dates, as does the Church of England, so the decision to opt for the Eastern Region model will suit people in Suffolk much better."        

She also added: “It is also important to make an early decision so that parents and schools have plenty of time to plan ahead.”

Notes to editors:

1) The Suffolk school term dates and holidays for 2007-08 are:

Model 2 - Eastern Region Alternative
         

NB. Each school pyramid (upper/high schools and their feeder primary/middle schools) will identify five days as professional development (non-pupil) days.

2) The alternative dates were drawn up in consultation with neighbouring local authorities in the East of England. The model tries to ensure that dates are similar across the region, to avoid any possible disruption.

3) The Eastern Region model has been proposed because of fears over variations in the timing of Easter and the desire of teachers to have a six-week summer holiday and two week Christmas break.

4) This alternative model is similar to the LGA model in many respects, but with the significant difference that the two-week Spring break incorporates the Easter weekend rather than being detached from it.

Councillor’s contacts:

Patricia O’Brien, Portfolio holder for Children, Schools and Young People’s Services, Telephone: 01394 448228,
Email: patricia.obrien@councillors.suffolkcc.gov.uk

Tony Lewis, Labour lead for Children and Young People,
Mobile: 07889 338836,
Email: Tony. Lewis@councillors.suffolkcc.gov.uk

Julia Truelove, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Children and Young People,
Telephone: 01449 678652,
Email: Julia. truelove@councillors.suffolkcc.gov.uk

Media contact:

Anneka Hardy, Press Officer,
Telephone: 01473 264392,
Email: anneka.hardy@comms.suffolkcc.gov.uk