Thousands give their views on traditional 'Leicestershire Fortnight' school holidays
The traditional ‘Leicestershire Fortnight’ school holidays period is set to be retained after thousands of people made their views known across the county.
More than 8,400 people have shared their views in a Leicestershire County Council consultation and helped shape proposed school term dates for Leicestershire schools over the next five years.
Following the public consultation, it is proposing to keep the traditional ‘Leicestershire Fortnight’, with schools breaking up for summer around two weeks earlier than many neighbouring areas.
The proposal also includes a one-week October half-term, reflecting the option that received the most support during the consultation, and will be considered by the council’s cabinet when it meets on September 8.
Feedback from families and schools has also helped shape a small change to the timing of the autumn break, with the recommended placing the October half-term in the third week of October.
Councillor Charles Pugsley, cabinet member for children and families at the county council, said: "The response showed just how important school term dates are for families, staff and communities across Leicestershire.
"The recommended model keeps the early summer break that so many families told us they value, while also responding to feedback about the timing of October half-term.
"We've also worked closely with Leicester City Council to align dates wherever possible, helping to make arrangements simpler for many families."
The proposed dates would apply to maintained schools in Leicestershire from autumn 2027.
As independent organisations, academies set their own term dates, although many choose to follow the pattern agreed by the county council.