As the school holiday starts, parents, carers, pupils and school staff are all being asked for their views on when the school Easter break should be.
Beeston Primary School. Photo by Jeremy Morton
Since 2011 Leeds has had a fixed school Easter break in the first two weeks of April, regardless of when the Easter weekend falls. The council is now seeking public opinion in order to decide whether to stick with this arrangement or return to an Easter break that moves depending on when Easter falls.
Leeds used to have a two-week school Easter break that wrapped around the Easter bank holidays. But following a consultation in 2008 the majority of people were in favour of changing this so that Leeds would have an Easter break fixed to the first two weeks of April. The Easter bank holidays usually fall within this break, at the beginning, middle, or end, but once in every 4-5 years the Easter bank holiday falls entirely outside of the school break. Consequently in some years Leeds dates are out of line with other local authorities across the region.
The Leeds City Council now wish to consult again, to decide whether to keep the fixed Easter break, or return to the previous arrangement.
Councillor Judith Blake, executive member responsible for children’s services said:
Cllr Judith Blake
“Since the fixed break has been in place for a couple of years, we thought it was time to make sure that is still the best option for families in Leeds.
“We know that some people prefer a fixed break but others prefer a break which coincides with the Easter bank holidays, so we want to make sure that whatever we decide continues to be the best option for the majority of families in the city.
“It is important that parents, carers, staff and pupils are able to influence which proposal we choose so we are keen for as many people as possible to take part in this consultation.”
To vote on your preferred option please visit the website link by 30 April 2013.
