ALL CHANGE FOR SCHOOL HOLIDAYS IN COV
SCHOOL holiday dates have altered in Coventry this year after complaints.
The newly announced dates mean school holidays in Coventry will be the same as those in neighbouring authority Warwickshire.
It comes after complaints that last year’s dates piled extra childcare costs on parents whose children attended school in different areas, or for parents who work at a school in one local authority area and whose children attend another.
Last year, a child in a school in Coventry broke up for autumn and spring half term a week earlier than a child in areas such as Leamington.
The discrepancy came about as Coventry council set their dates a year earlier than other local authorities, who later opted for different dates.
This year the authority has waited to match the dates announced by Warwickshire, before agreeing its own with parents during a consultation.
Coventry school term dates for 2020/21: Autumn term: Tuesday, September 1 (inset day) to Friday, October 23.
Half-term holiday: Monday, October 26 to Friday, October 30.
Autumn term (continued): Monday, November 2 to Friday, December 18.
Christmas holidays: Monday, December 21 to Friday, January 1 (bank holiday).
Spring term: Monday, January 4 to Friday, February 12.
Half-term holiday: Monday, February 15 to Friday, February 19.
Spring term (continued):
Monday, February 22 to Thursday, April 1.
Easter holiday: Friday, April 2 to Friday, April 16.
Summer term: Monday, April 19 to Friday, May 28.
Half-term holiday: Monday, May 31 to Friday, June 4.
Summer term (continued): Monday, June 7 to Wednesday July 21. Summer holiday: Begins Thursday, July 22.
A council spokesman said: “We set the term dates on an annual basis, in co-ordination with other West Midlands local authorities.
“Where possible we try to ensure full weeks of teaching, a full week break at half term and two full weeks at Easter and Christmas, and half term holidays are set at the same time as those of neighbouring authorities.
“We work closely with our immediate local authority neighbours Solihull and Warwickshire in conjunction to ensure that set term dates are published at the same time.
“For September 2020, Coventry consulted on two options, which we are required by law to do, one of these options had already been set by Warwickshire, and 76% of responders were in favour of this option.
“We have introduced a survey response for term dates set this year to enable more people to have their say. This consultation was posted on the council’s social media pages, along with the Let’s Talk Coventry consultation page, and headteachers shared the information further with parents.
“The consultation allowed us to gain greater feedback on parents requests for term dates setting. In all 854 responses were received from parents.
“Due to the success of this method, going forward all term dates consultations will be conducted in this manner.”
The change was prompted by Coventry councillor Peter Male.
He raised the issue with the council as his son Woodrow goes to school in Leamington, while mum Sam works at City College Coventry - meaning they could not go on holiday together during half-term.
Speaking on the change, Cllr Male said: “We have
clearly seen unprecedented disruption to the school timetable this year, with significant uncertainty still likely ahead.
“It is therefore pleasing, that Coventry City Council have been able to work closely with surrounding local authorities in aligning school term dates and providing much needed certainty this year.
“For families who have parents working as teachers in one authority area and children attending school in another, this will be a welcome decision that should help to reduce childcare costs.”