Unions express 'deep concern' about changes to school year

11 trade unions have called for the Welsh government to scrap plans to change the school year.

The organisations - which include all of Wales' teaching unions, and those representing farming and tourism industries - have written to the Education Minister Jeremy Miles about their "deep concern" at a public consultation into proposed changes.

The consultation was launched in November 2023, and is considering plans to reduce the summer holidays to five weeks, and increase the half-term break in October to two weeks.

The Welsh Government said research suggests the longer autumn term is too tiring for some students, and that changing this could improve behaviour and reduce the amount of time spent re-covering material.

But the unions claim the consultation wasn't properly discussed with them before it was launched.

Teaching unions say the Welsh government's reasons for potential changes "are not substantiated by research", and that learning could be damaged if one week of the summer holidays is moved to midway through the Autumn term.

Meanwhile, farming and tourism unions write that attractions could be forced to close, and jobs subsequently lost, as footfall seen in the summer would be significantly lower in October.

The letter cites a figure from the Welsh Association of Visitor Attractions that revenue during an extra week off in October would be 80% lower than one at the end of the summer term.

Farming unions also say they're worried about increased disruption from people having one less week to visit many coastal areas and National Parks.

There's also concern about the future of the Royal Welsh show, held in mid-July each year, which the letter says would be heavily impacted if young people were unable to attend due to falling in term-time.

The letter warns the show "would be denied it's role in the education of Welsh youngsters", and lose an estimated £1m of revenue.

"We believe that there is limited recent and relevant research that supports the recommendations and that they are based upon a long-held prejudice regarding the school summer break," the letter adds.

In response to the unions' latter, a Welsh Government spokesperson said: “This is an opportunity to design a school calendar that works better for teachers, staff and, most importantly, learners - providing everyone with the best conditions in which to thrive.

“We continue to engage with key stakeholders, and the public consultation – which closes on February 12th – offers everyone the opportunity to have their voice heard on the proposals.”