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Forum Brief: Six-term school year
The NASUWT, the second largest teachers’ union, has voted to oppose moves to introduce a six-term year in schools.
Government Response: Department for Education and Skills
A DfES spokesperson said: "We support the move in principle but it is right that school terms are set locally so that they can take account of local circumstances and traditions.
"We are keeping in touch with the Local Government Association about the decisions being reached by LEAs about moving to a six-term year and encourage authorities to bring their term dates into line with one another where possible."
Forum Response: Professional Association of Teachers
A PAT spokesman said: "Our position on this subject is flexible – we can see advantages in restructuring the school year and PAT has spoken broadly in favour of proposals to do so.
"PAT does not hold the current three term year to be sacrosanct. We do not believe the six term year to be a particularly ‘radical’ solution, as it reflects what is in effect the case now, but any changes must reflect educational advantages for pupils.
"PAT believes that the education of children has to be the priority in this issue. Equal lengths of term are better for planning, teaching and learning than unequal ones and should spread the workload of pupils and teachers more evenly throughout the year, hopefully resulting in a reduction in pupil and teacher stress and in the creation of a smother process of learning, assessment and transfer.
"Shorter terms would leave staff less tired and stressed and make planning easier.
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