School Day Proposal for 2026

The rationale for changing the school day is as follows:

• Keep to the 32.5 hrs expected per week for student time in the Academy.

• Start 5 minutes earlier at 8.25am ( doors will open at 8.15am).

• All students will still have form period first thing and then 5 lessons a day.

• Improve outcomes for Year 11 with an additional compulsory Period 6 intervention session on 2 nights per week in 26/27 (Current Year 10 when they become Year 11) with an option to add a 3rd night in 27/28 (Current Year 9 when they become Year 11).

• Maintaining the popular 2-week October half-term.

• Ensuring we have a sensible hard stop at the end of the summer term, e.g. ending on a full week.

 

The proposed changes will mean that the school day will finish for Year 7-10 at 3.15pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and finish at the earlier time of 2.30pm on Thursday and Friday. 

From September 2026, Year 11 students will have an additional Period 6 intervention session, finishing at 4.00pm on Monday and Tuesday. They will finish at 3.15pm on Wednesday and 2.30pm on Thursday and Friday.

All students will continue to have a 20-minute break and a 40-minute lunch, each day.

 

School year proposal

 

We introduced a two-week Autumn Half Term holiday this academic year. This has proven very popular as it has allowed families wishing to take advantage of cheaper holidays a chance to do so. Therefore, we are proposing to continue with the two-week October break next academic year. 

 

We are also looking to have a sensible hard stop at the end of the summer term, e.g. ending on a full week. Therefore, the academic year would finish on Friday 16th July 2027 (rather than continuing into the next week). Again, we hope this will allow families to take advantage of cheaper holidays.

If this proposal is agreed, the holiday dates would be as follows:

PROPOSED HOLIDAY AND TERM TIMES (NOT CONFIRMED UNTIL CONSULTATION FINISHES)

 

 2026/2027

Autumn Term	Dates
Academy closed to students for Staff Training	Tuesday 01 September 2026
Autumn Term begins	Wednesday 02 September 2026 - staggered start time for each year group (we will communicate this nearer the time)
Half Term - school closed	Monday 19 October to Friday 30 October 2026
Students return from the Half Term break	Monday 02 November 2026
Christmas Break – school closed	Monday 21 December 2026 to Friday 01 January 2027
Spring Term	Dates
School reopens after the Christmas break	Monday 04 January 2027
Half Term – school closed	Friday 12 February to Friday 19 February 2027
Students return from the Half Term break	Monday 22 February 2027
Easter – school closed	Friday 26 March to Friday 09 April 2027
Summer Term	Dates
School reopens after the Easter break	Monday 12 April 2027
Half Term – school closed	Monday 31 May to Friday 04 June 2027
Students return from the Half Term break	Monday 07 June 2027
Summer holiday – school closed	Monday 19 July to September 2027 (actual date to be confirmed)

 

Staff Training Days: school closed to students

• Tuesday 1 September 2026

• Monday 16 November 2026

• Monday 19 July 2027

• Tuesday 20 July 2027

 

Bank holiday: school closed – Monday 03 May 2027

 

If you have any views on the proposed changes, please complete this feedback form. 

Please provide any feedback by 10am on Friday 16 January 2026.
 

Yours sincerely

 

Phill Quirk

Executive Headteacher