Falkirk Council reveal school holiday changes

Last month Falkirk Council agreed to extend the annual October break from one week to two and to make the summer holidays a week shorter.

However, the change was not supposed to be introduced until the 2022/23 session.

But it appears that because the Scottish Government is now urging local authorities to have pupils back in school by August 12 the change is being implemented 12 months earlier than planned.

Holiday plan agreed

In May, and following consultation with parents and staff, Falkirk Council gave the go-ahead to make the change – but were waiting until Stirling and Clackmannanshire councils announced the results of their consultations.

The plan is for all schools in Forth Valley to be closed at the same time.

Back to school

Falkirk Council’s Director of Children’s Services Robert Naylor said the change had been suggested for two main reasons: to help the growing number of children and families in poverty for whom the long school holidays are very difficult; and to stop all children being away from school for too long, to ensure continuity of learning.

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