THE term dates for the 2004 to 2005 academic year in Wiltshire's schools have now been set.
Wiltshire County Council introduced changes after the Local Government Association recommended that a standard school year be introduced throughout England and Wales.
It will mean that terms will now be of similar lengths and the two week Easter holiday will not always coincide with Easter. There will eventually be a two week break in October and a slightly shorter summer break.
The 2004/2005 academic year will be a transitional year. The first term will run from August 31 until December 21 inclusive with a break from October 21 to October 31 inclusive.
The spring term will run from January 5 until March 24 inclusive with a break from February 12 until February 20 inclusive.
The summer term will run from April 11 until July 22 inclusive with a break from May 28 until June 5 inclusive.
Each school will remain free to set its own five teacher training days which will fall within term time.
The new term dates will ensure Wiltshire children will be on holiday at the same time as children in the neighbouring authorities of Bath and North East Somerset, Somerset, Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire. It is believed that Swindon will also adopt these term dates.
The dates of the 2003/2004 school year in Wiltshire remain unaltered and are available on the council's website at www.wiltshire.gov.uk.
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