Welsh Government wants your views on the school calendar

A consultation has opened (21 November) on changing the school calendar, so breaks are spread out more evenly, including a 2-week half term autumn break.
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The current school calendar means that the autumn term is longer than others. Under the new proposal, a week would be taken from the start of the summer break and added to the October break, so that staff and learners get more time to rest during the long autumn term. These changes would be made from September 2025, meaning schools would get a two-week break in October 2025 and a five-week summer break in 2026.
The consultation will also explore additional changes that could be taken forward in the future, but not from 2025. These changes include the option of moving a second week from the summer break and adding it to the Whitsun break.  (Please see the full Welsh Government press release on Welsh Government wants your views on the school calendar | GOV.WALES.)

The Welsh Government is engaging with the workers and employers from sectors outside of education. The primary objectives of reforming the school year are to address disadvantage, narrow educational inequalities, support learner and staff wellbeing and bring the school calendar more in line with contemporary life. It is important to recognise it is an education reform. It is also important that the wider potential impact, opportunities, and benefits of any changes are shared and understood. Whilst the structure of the school year is an educational policy, we recognise that any changes to the school year structure could impact wider sectors.

With this in mind, we would very much like to encourage you to participate in the consultation.

Additional updates regarding school year reform and links to the publications mentioned above can be found on the webpage: Reform of the school year | GOV.WALES.