In October 2001 an Independent Commission on the "Organisation of the School Year" presented its recommendations and identified a six term year as its preferred option for change.
Bromley undertook consultation on the Commission's findings in the Spring of 2002. Following this consultation, and further consultation with our neighbouring boroughs, it was agreed to move towards standardising the school year within a regional or national framework. The following principles were agreed with neighbouring authorities:
- The break in the period between September and Christmas should normally be one week in length, positioned to occupy the last school week before the clocks are changed.
- The school holiday over Christmas and New Year should be two weeks.
- The school holiday in February should fall as to give the most even division of teaching blocks between January and the school holiday in April. Normally second full week of February.
- The date of the Easter weekend will not determine the Spring holiday which will be not less than 2 weeks taken as the first and second weeks of April. The Easter weekend would of course continue to be recognised if it fell in term time.
- The school holiday at the end of May should take place in the week beginning with the late spring bank holiday Monday.
Bromley has now set dates for 2008/09, which are very similar to those of neighbouring authorities.