The end of term looms

Wednesday 20 December 2023

This year's late finish ahead of Christmas for States School pupils is unlikely to be repeated, with the term dates for 2025-29 currently being considered.

Some parents - and staff - have queried why States primary, secondary, special educational schools and the College of Further Education are not breaking up until lunchtime on Friday 22 December.

By contrast the three private colleges broke up last Friday, 15 December and Jersey's schools broke up yesterday, Tuesday 19 December.

A spokesperson for the Committee for Education, Sport, and Culture explained that term dates are determined well in advance and a number of factors are taken in to consideration when planning for the school year.

“Guernsey’s term dates are prepared internally," they said.

"Consultation first takes place with a range of stakeholders before they are approved by the Committee for Education, Sport and Culture. Term dates are approved some years in advance, with the current academic year’s agreed by the previous Committee.

“It is unusual to break up so close to Christmas but this was agreed to maximise the number of weekends during this year’s winter break. Planning for future term dates from 2025-29 is currently underway and it is not expected there will be similar late finishes at Christmas time.”

Pictured: Guernsey's States schools' term dates.

With States schools breaking up this coming Friday, they don't return until Tuesday 9 January (for most) meaning staff and pupils will have three weekends off.

Guernsey's three colleges also go back on 9 January meaning their staff and pupils have four weekends off.

In Jersey - pupils at most schools broke up on Tuesday 19 December and return to lessons on Thursday 4 January. That means staff and pupils there have only two weekends off with both Christmas and New Year's Eve falling on Sunday this year.

In terms of the school calendar, Guernsey's States school staff and pupils are coming to the end of a 15 week and two day long term, with the October half term week included. The coming term will be shorter at ten weeks and three days long, with a week off for February half term too.

The third and final term of the 2023/24 school year will be 14 weeks and two days long, with the May half term break and a number of bank holidays included. 

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