FOI Request - School Holiday and Term Date Planning

Request 101003800155

I am writing to make a request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 regarding the process by which your Council determines school term dates, in-service days, and holiday closure dates for local authority schools.

Please provide the following information in relation to the last two academic years (2022–23 and 2023–24):

1. School Term and Holiday Date Decision-Making
a) The name or role(s) of the person(s) or committee(s) responsible for determining:

  •  The start and end dates of each school term
  •  The scheduling of in-service days
  •  The allocation of holiday; both annual leave and closure days (when holiday is mentioned below, please define it as both annual leave dates -40, and school closure dates -26 ).

b) Whether these decisions are delegated to education departments, elected members, or another group.

2. Legal, Policy, or Procedural Basis
a) Any statutory basis, regulations, bye-laws, national guidance or local policy frameworks used to support or inform these decisions.
b) Please include references or links to any relevant council documents, standing orders, or working group remits.

3. Evidence of Deliberation and Decision
a) Copies of any minutes, briefing papers, consultation records, or decision logs evidencing:

  • How school term dates and holiday dates were selected 
  • Why specific holiday or in-service dates were chosen (for each individual date or group of dates running consecutive e.g. a week)

b) Please include internal or committee documentation, where available.

4. Internal Planning Templates and Guidance
a) Please provide copies of any internal templates, scheduling tools, guidance documents, or other planning materials used to draft or approve school term calendars, holiday dates, and in-service day schedules.
b) If any external tools or national planning templates were referenced (e.g., from Scottish Government or Education Scotland), please include these as well.

5. Review or Change of Practice
a)  Has the Council undertaken any formal reviews or consultations in the last two years specifically regarding:

  • The structure of school terms
  • The timing of holidays or in-service days
  • Alignment with neighbouring councils or national strategy?

b) If so, please provide copies of the documentation or reports arising from these reviews.

Response 26-06-2025

1. a) LNCT

b) LNCT

LNCT (Local Negotiating Committee for Teachers  is made up of 6 union representatives and 6 management representatives covering all unions and primary and secondary education.

2. a) SNCT guidance around teacher terms and conditions

b) The information requested is published and available from the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT). This information is therefore exempt under section 25 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, information otherwise accessible. For ease of reference please find a link to the web page here: https://www.snct.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=Part_2_Section_3 

3. a) The information requested has been sent to the requester directly.

b) That there should be no additional cost to the authority to have an occasional day timetabled which is at odds with the exam timetable for secondary which would mean school transport would be required for those pupils attending examinations.

 

4. a) Please find information requested here.

b) Not applicable

 

5. a)

i) No

ii) No

iii) We do not have a requirement to align with neighbouring councils.

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