July fortnight to remain but autumn break to move

Leicestershire's traditional early "July fortnight" start to the summer holidays will be retained after councillors agreed future school term dates, although changes to October half term have been approved.

Leicestershire County Council's cabinet met on Tuesday to agree to set calendars for future school years from Autumn 2027 to Summer 2032.

Earlier this year, the authority set out proposed changes to school term times which could have ended the traditional early start to the summer break in the county.

However, the council later withdrew the proposed change after a backlash from parents and local politicians.

It has now agreed to set future term dates on a pattern that is largely unchanged from those that have been traditionally in place.

The council had considered implementing a two-week half-term in October.

However, it has decided to retain a one-week break but make it slightly earlier, in the third week of the month.

Officials said the change was aimed at helping children who can become tired during the long run-up to Christmas.

County council leader Dan Harrison said he was pleased the new model retained the Leicestershire fortnight, which he said was important to families.

Leicestershire schools have traditionally broken up for the summer early in July - at least two weeks before the rest of the country.

The pattern reflected the Leicestershire Workers' July Fortnight, a county-wide holiday period introduced in 1965, where factories and businesses closed for the first two weeks of July to enable workers to avoid peak holiday periods.

Leicester City Council has already set a similar school calendar up to 2032.

The county's cabinet was told that the county council had worked with colleagues at the city council to align the future dates as closely as possible.

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