The Swindon Labour Group’s Shadow Lead for Education, Councillor Cindy Matthews, has raised concerns over proposed government reforms which will allow all state schools in Swindon to be able to change their school holiday times, which could lead to different schools having different school holiday times. She said this could lead to it being difficult for parents to properly plan their families’ holidays or childcare.
The Swindon Labour Group’s Shadow Lead for Education, Councillor Cindy Matthews, has raised concerns over proposed government reforms which will allow all state schools in Swindon to be able to change their school holiday times, which could lead to different schools having different school holiday times. She said this could lead to it being difficult for parents to properly plan their families’ holidays or childcare.
The Department for Education announced plans to allow all state schools to change their school holiday times earlier this week.
Councillor Cindy Matthews said: “I do have concerns about individual schools being able to set their own school holidays in that I think it will lead to potential confusion, with parents unsure when they can book their family holidays or when they need to book childcare. For example, what if a parent has one child attending a primary school that has decided to only have six weeks summer holidays with another child at a secondary school with a four-week summer holiday but longer holidays in the school year. The childcare issues that arise from this will be difficult for parents.
I would prefer it if all schools could reach a joint agreement on future school holiday times. This could possibly be done at the Schools Forum who represent all schools but currently only agree how education money is shared between Swindon’s schools.”