July fortnight stands as views sought on autumn term

People are being asked to share their views on school term dates in Leicestershire, with both proposed options retaining the traditional early "July fortnight" start to the summer holidays.

Leicestershire County Council and Leicester City Council have been considering a number of new options for school calendars from autumn 2027 to summer 2032.

One option could have ended the two-week early start to the summer break than the rest of the country in mid-July, but that was scrapped after a backlash from parents and local politicians.

Now an online consultation, which will run until 15 June, is asking people to have their say on two proposed models on the structure of the autumn term.

Under option one, education bosses are proposing the academic year starts just before the August bank holiday.

It includes a two-week autumn half-term break in October, intended to break up the longer autumn term.

As a result, the summer holiday would be slightly shorter, at around five and a half weeks.

The second option would see pupils returning to school after the August bank holiday and a one-week autumn half-term break.

Both options would mean the summer holidays start at roughly the same time as they do currently.

Elaine Pantling, assistant city mayor for children and young people, said: "Both of the options we are consulting on would see no change to our usual mid-July end to the academic year.

"We're asking people to give us their views on starting the autumn term a little earlier and having a two-week half-term in the autumn, or whether to retain the current pattern.

"Feedback on the proposals will be used to inform a future decision on which model to adopt."

The consultation presents full calendar details for each model, including term dates and holiday periods across the five-year period.

Listen to BBC Radio Leicester on Sounds and follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.