Councils across Wales are facing difficulties agreeing on school term dates, potentially causing issues for parents with children attending different schools. Thirteen councils, including Cardiff and Wrexham, are advocating for the 2027 spring half term to begin in early February, while nine others, such as Swansea and Newport, prefer a later start by a week. This discrepancy could mean families with children in multiple schools may have conflicting holiday schedules.
A recent consultation by the Welsh government, released in early March, highlighted the possibility of enforcing uniform dates for schools to mitigate the disparities. If all councils implement their preferred dates, schools in certain areas would have half term between 8 and 12 February 2027, breaking up for Easter on 19 March. In contrast, some authorities aim to have their half term from 15 to 19 February, with Easter holidays starting on 25 March.
Moreover, Powys council stands out by proposing to commence their summer holidays on 16 July 2027, earlier than other councils, citing the Royal Welsh Show as a significant consideration. The Welsh government is inclined to standardize the dates based on the group representing a higher number of schools. This would mean a unified February half term from 8 to 12 February 2027, with Easter holidays beginning on 19 March 2027. However, Powys could maintain its distinct summer finish to accommodate the Royal Welsh Show.
Authorities have until 25 May 2025 to provide feedback on the consultation, as the Welsh government aims to reach a consensus on school term dates across Wales to benefit the education sector and tourism industry. The possibility of enforced standardized dates ensures consistency and avoids potential disruptions for families and educational institutions
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
