Academy planning changes to terms

Pupils will start the academic year later and their kitchens will be closed under radical plans for a school in Wednesbury.

Mesty Croft Academy is considering postponing the September start date to combat low attendance.

Many parents take holidays at the end of the summer when it is cheaper but means youngsters miss the the start of the school term

The school is also looking at introducing a fixed Easter holiday, as well as closing their kitchen to create more space for younger children.

Parents have reacted furiously to the proposals, raising concerns children will miss out on holiday clubs if their break does not coincide with other schools.

The school only opened as an academy two weeks ago, which means school bosses now have the power to determine their own school term dates. The school is thought to be one of the first in the country to be considering the proposals.

A letter sent out to parents, signed by chair of governors Phil Griffiths and headteacher Andrew Kirby, said the year would start mid-September instead of the first week of the month.

"This is because a significant number of children are absent at the start of the new school year taking their family holiday," it said.

The school also wants to introduce a fixed Easter holiday incorporating Good Friday and Easter Monday so it can set even term dates.

Scrapping the school kitchen would make way for a new early year's unit with more space for Reception age children. The school is looking at other options for school dinners including a meals on wheels service for pupils.

But parents have launched a petition and attended a meeting last night to express their anger.