When is half terms in 2011

Where the governing body of a community or voluntary controlled school selects dates that are different to those of the local authority, they will need to obtain prior permission from the Director of Education.

Only unexceptional circumstances will a school be allowed to set different dates to those recommended. The above guidance does not outline the standard minimum hours to be operated by schools. It stands as non-statutory guidance and has advisory status only. Every school day must have two sessions divided by a break.

The length of each session, break and the school day is determined by the school's governing body. The governing body has the power to revise the length of the school day as it sees fit. There is no requirement to consult parents on revisions to the school day. The DfE currently doesn't have any guidance on consultation or notice period before implementation. The DfE would expect individual schools to decide this themselves, taking into account the change itself and those who will be affected e.

This is the same for other non-maintained schools. During there was a Deregulation Bill being progressed through Parliament, which proposed that all schools, regardless of category, would have the ability to determine their own term dates. These schools will not therefore be given the power to set their own term dates and are required to adopt the dates stipulated by the local authority. The legislation was part of a drive to reduce unnecessary burdens on schools.

The DfE informally consulted with a wide range of stakeholders both before and during the passage of the Deregulation Bill. DfE confirmed responses were mixed with some supporting the move and others expressing reservations. DfE reflected on the concerns raised and also noted there was not a significant response from maintained schools to suggest they wanted this freedom. In the light of this, DfE concluded that it would not be appropriate to commence with widening this to those maintained schools.

In the first instance please contact the school. You have to get permission from the headteacher to take your child out of school during term time. You should contact these schools directly to confirm their term dates. The school year starts in September. There are school days in each year 39 weeks. Pupils spend days 38 weeks in school each year; 5 of the days are reserved for training teachers and support staff.

Please enable javascript in your browser settings to view virtual breadcrumbs marking the 9 most recent pages you have visited on birmingham. Early Years term dates are applicable to all children claiming an early education and childcare offer at age 2, 3 and 4. The early years calendar is based around a financial year April to March. Term dates - Thank you for rating this page. You can also choose to leave us feedback.