Education

New term structures prompt fears of ‘chaos’ in our schools

Published

11 years ago

August 26, 2013

Report and Comment by Herald Special Correspondent, John Vaughan

There are fears amongst many within the education sector that Wales could be heading into chaos with a radical potential restructuring of term times. This comes as England adopts a policy from 2015 whereby head teachers will have the power to set their own school terms, potentially scaling down the long held traditional six week summer holiday to as little as four weeks.

The plans for England were announced on Monday July 1 of this year. The Department for Education set out the policy to ensure that, in future, term times are decided upon by head teachers and not local Councils. As it stands at present, Wales is not included in these plans and, though currently there is no legal duty on councils or governing bodies in Wales to work together on holiday times, there are plans to give the Assembly Government powers to set the same holiday times for all state schools in Wales. However, this is not policy yet and there is growing concern from some people within education that Wales could well follow in the same direction as England.

The National Union of Teachers have stated it will cause problems for families in different schools. A view shared by South Pembrokeshire And Carmarthen West AM and Shadow Minister for Education, Angela Burns who said, exclusively to the Herald,

“Imagine the chaos, a child at one school, another at one with different term times. It is hard enough with the disparity that England and Wales have. Even schools in the Vale of Glamorgan have different term times to Pembrokeshire. It’s the logistics!”

The Shadow Minister went on to express her concerns over the impact that this could have for potential childcare issues and parents planning for their work schedules. She stated,

“Why not let the County Council do it as they do now? I don’t understand the point of it and what are the benefits?”

Some have cited that one of the potential benefits of such a change could be cheaper package holidays for parents; others are more sceptical of this as an argument, as Christine Blower, head of the National Union of Teachers, pointed out when suggesting that holiday companies would just expand the period over which they charge premium rates, with the result that the general public would have fewer weeks of less expensive holidays.

Mrs Burns expressed her concern at the current Welsh Government proposal that the Welsh Minister for Education could have the sole power to set school term dates which could also mean an arbitrary decision could be taken on five or even six terms in a school year. She stated that she had been challenging these proposals. Mrs Burns also cast doubt upon the idea of cheaper holidays, given any change of term structure by saying that,

“The holiday companies would soon cotton on to it and nothing would change (with regard to cheaper holidays). I don’t see how that (argument) holds water”, a sentiment echoing that of Christine Blower.

A further argument put forward for this change is that it would allow for a better means of organising the curriculum. One head teacher in England argued that the changes would allow for ‘more equalised blocks of working which would be much better for curriculum planning and would be better in terms of levels of student and staff exhaustion’. Putting this point forward to Mrs Burns she responded by saying,

“Instinctively I don’t like the idea, but there is statistical evidence that the long summer break does give children too much time to forget what they are learning. The more successful European countries have shorter terms.There might be a discussion worth having about a four term year, it might serve small children, especially during the winter term”

This raised an important issue with regards to the lack of consistency with current term times and, when this was suggested to one local teacher, who asked not to be named, said,

“I can understand the argument that some of our terms are currently very long, with the present structuring, and, certainly, the autumn term leading up to Christmas can really take it out of all involved, pupils and teachers alike, but the summer holiday is almost an institution. It is a very long year and at the end of it we are all exhausted. I would suggest the first week of that summer break be a period for recovery and rest and then the last week is mostly used by teachers to prepare for the autumn term, whereby you simply hit the ground running almost immediately. I can see an argument for a five week summer break, but I would add that extra week on to the Christmas holiday, leaving the term length as it is. I can’t imagine the kind of chaos that would ensue if different schools had different term times – it makes you glad to be teaching in Wales if this is what is about to happen to our colleagues in England”

Seeking a response from the Head of Education in Pembrokeshire, Kate Evan-Hughes stated that,

“If such a policy were to be introduced in Wales, we, as a local education authority, would work with schools to minimise the impact and disruption for parents and students”

It certainly appears that whatever is decided upon in Wales, the policy is likely to cause at least some disruption and disorientation to parents, teachers and pupils when it is introduced into English schools.

However, a local Pembrokeshire school governor, who wished to be unnamed, did stress there may be some positives,

“From speaking to teachers I know it can take months for children to be re-focused after the summer holidays. I can see a four week holiday might be of benefit to help with this problem and pupils would re-focus much more quickly. Also, schools often struggle to keep children in school, holidays are cheaper (outside of current holiday times), but of course holiday companies would cotton on, but it could well cut down on unauthorised absences which is a real problem.”

It is an emotive issue and there are opinions for and against the change in England. No matter whether Wales adopts this policy or not, it seems from speaking with the various academic parties that, in Wales, there is at least a growing movement to question as to whether there should be a change to the structure of the school year and the amount of and length of terms. However, what are the impacts likely to be and who will it benefit? As Angela Burns states,

“This is a big decision that needs to be taken with all the consultation of teachers, unions, parents, governors, support services and businesses as it is a really radical move. If only one school did this it would be highly disruptive. It is a decision that needs proper analysis, research, evidence and consultation with everyone that it will affect. It is a huge change that needs investigating properly. It could be very unsuccessful”

Perhaps we, in Wales, should wait and see how successful it is in England before deciding upon a policy for Wales. After all, where education is concerned, risks simply cannot be taken with children’s academic futures. It is far too important for that and, surely, a measured and patient approach should be taken before any change is made, where quantifiable evidence has been studied and reflected upon before any final decision?

Education

Tuition fee rise ‘passes cost of NI hike to students’

Published

13 hours ago

December 5, 2024

Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter

RAISING tuition fees to £9,535 a year passes the cost of national insurance hikes to students and “won’t touch the sides” of a £100m shortfall, the Senedd heard.

Opposition politicians quizzed Wales’ higher education minister after she announced fees for undergraduates will rise by £285 or 3% to the same level as in England from August 2025.

Vikki Howells, who was appointed in September, confirmed tuition fee loans will also rise to up to £9,535, with student support increasing by 1.6% in the 2025/26 academic year.

Ms Howells, a former teacher at Caerphilly’s St Cenydd Comprehensive, announced an extra £20m for Medr, a public body which was established this year to oversee all post-16 education and research in Wales.

During education questions in the Senedd on December 4, Conservative Tom Giffard asked how much the UK Government’s national insurance increase will cost Welsh universities.

Estimating the cost at about £20m, Ms Howells said: “The announcement I’ve made today to raise the tuition fee cap in Wales to £9,535 is estimated to cover those costs to universities.”

Mr Giffard replied: “What you’ve done minister is offset the cost of a Labour UK policy by increasing tuition fees for students to pay for it….

“Before that announcement about employers’ national insurance, universities estimated that they run a deficit, cumulatively, of about £100m and yet nothing that has happened so far will address that blackhole.”

The shadow education secretary added: “Taking those two policies in combination, it’s a zero-sum game … the thing that students and universities have in common is that they were promised greater support … and only received greater bills.”

He pressed the minister about emergency funding, raising concerns about three years of cuts leaving Welsh universities worse off than counterparts in the UK.

He warned: “This crisis is real, the university funding crisis is very, very real and it’s immediate – so what are you going to do about it?”

Ms Howells said an analysis of higher education fees and funding across the UK found Wales offers the most generous student maintenance support.

She emphasised the need to balance the needs of students and universities, vowing to put the higher education sector on a more sustainable footing.

She told the Senedd: “If the tuition fee cap was not raised in Wales then it would definitely put our universities at a disadvantage.

“The decision that I’ve taken will not affect the amount of money available to students while they study and neither will it result in graduates repaying more each month. Only those who go on to be the higher earning graduates will likely pay back this increased fee.”

Ms Howells stressed that universities are autonomous and pointed out that 90% of their funding comes from sources outside of the Welsh Government.

Cefin Campbell, Plaid Cymru’s shadow education secretary, warned an extra £20m for Medr could be “swallowed up straight away” and “doesn’t touch the sides” of a £100m shortfall.

Mr Campbell said: “Increasing tuition fees in Wales will undoubtedly burden students with even greater debt, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.”

He accused the Welsh Government of taking its eye off the ball over the past 25 years, warning of no coherent strategy and a lack of investment.

The former lecturer said £2 out of every £5 the Welsh Government spends on student fees goes to subsidise universities in England, with £500m a year being spent outside Wales.

He told the debating chamber or Siambr: “As a result of today’s announcement, even more Welsh taxpayers’ money will flow across the border.”

Mr Campbell, who represents Mid and West Wales, raised concerns about 40% of students leaving Wales for higher education, compared with 5% in Scotland and 9% in England.

Raising concerns about the so-called brain drain, he warned that taxpayers’ money is being used to export Wales’ best and brightest students beyond the border.

Ms Howells rejected the “reductionist” argument, saying it would be wrong to limit the horizons of students who choose to study elsewhere.

She said: “It is absolutely imperative that we support our young people to study wherever they wish to. We need to empower our young people to make the best decisions they can.”

Education

Welsh universities fully divest from fossil fuels

Published

22 hours ago

December 5, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ALL eight Welsh universities have now cut ties with the fossil fuel industry, following a landmark decision by the University of South Wales (USW). This move cements Wales as a leader in the global push for ethical investment in education.

USW’s announcement to exclude fossil fuel companies from its investment portfolio makes it the final Welsh institution to join the initiative. The university has also pledged to divest from companies involved in border security, detention, surveillance, and migrant deportation, setting a benchmark for ethical practices.

A major milestone
This development is part of a wider trend, with over 75% of UK universities now divesting from fossil fuels, according to student-led environmental justice network People & Planet.

Laura Clayson, Campaign Manager for Climate Justice at People & Planet, praised the decision:
“This news is incredibly significant, particularly for a nation where fossil fuels have played a major role in shaping its history and landscape. It stands as an act of solidarity with frontline communities globally and in Wales, such as those affected by the now-closed Ffos-y-Fran open cast coal mine.”

Student-led change
Students have been at the forefront of this shift, securing 116 victories through the Fossil Free campaign and six in the Divest Borders campaign. These successes underscore the link between climate justice, social justice, and institutional responsibility.

André Dallas, Co-Director of Migrant Justice at People & Planet, applauded Welsh universities’ leadership:
“Students are clear that universities must stand for justice and progress, not only in their prospectuses but in their policies. Wales has turned its back on the fossil fuel industry—an extraordinary achievement.”

Sustainability commitment
Rachel Elias-Lee, Chief Finance Officer at USW, emphasized the university’s commitment to a sustainable future:
“Our Ethical Investment Policy ensures we avoid investments in fossil fuels, arms, tobacco, and unethical industries. We are dedicated to achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2040, supporting renewable energy, and driving a low-carbon, sustainable future for all.”

This move reflects growing societal pressure for institutions to align their investments with principles of sustainability and justice.

A UK-wide shift
The divestment aligns with a broader UK movement, as universities increasingly take responsibility for tackling climate change and social injustice. Navid Sharif, Vice-President Activities at USW Students’ Union, highlighted the significance of the announcement:
“This milestone showcases what can be achieved when institutions listen to their communities. USW is leading the way, and we hope this inspires further progress across Wales and beyond.”

Ethical investment: the future
With campaigns like Fossil Free and Divest Borders achieving success, the focus now shifts to sustaining momentum and encouraging other sectors to adopt similar measures. Welsh universities have shown that ethical investment is both achievable and crucial in addressing global challenges.

Education

Former Hakin school could be demolished for new housing

Published

1 day ago

December 4, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A COUNCIL application to demolish a disused school in Pembrokeshire to make way for a potential housing development has been submitted to county planners.

Pembrokeshire County Council, through agent Asbri Planning, is seeking permission to demolish the former Hakin Infants School, Picton Road, Hakin, Milford Haven.

Works proposed also include the construction of a bat house and ecological enhancement area.

A supporting statement says: “The former school buildings are boarded up, whereas the gardens and play areas have become overgrown. This is one of three schools to close in the last decade within the local area, alongside Hubberston VC School and Hakin Junior School, which have already been demolished.

“This application forms part of a wider strategy for the site. An outline application for residential development will be submitted in order to confirm the development in principle in land use terms is acceptable. A reserved matters application would follow on from outline approval in order to confirm the details of the actual development to be built.”

It also seeks permission for a bat box as a bat survey report “revealed that the building acts as a bat roost for low numbers of brown long-eared bats, greater horseshoe bats and lesser horseshoe bats.”

It finishes: “The proposed work seeks to demolish and remove the former school buildings and surrounding hard standing within the eastern half of the site. The playing fields and vegetation located to the west of the site will remain unaffected by the demolition works and would therefore remain intact.”

The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.