§ 3. Dr. John Dunwoodyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take additional steps to encourage the adoption of the four-term year in schools.
§ Mr. Edward ShortLocal education authorities are free to decide the number of school terms in any year. I would see no advantage in encouraging a general move to a four-term year, unless changes could be agreed in the timing of public examinations. Three years ago, when my Department canvassed educational opinion on the possibility of holding the General Certificate of Education examinations; in the spring term, the general response was strongly unfavourable.
§ Dr. DunwoodyI thank my right hon. Friend for his Answer. Does he not agree that the present rather long terms impose: a considerable strain on younger primary schoolchildren and that there may, for this category of schoolchildren, be both educational and medical advantages in a four-term year?
§ Mr. ShortI agree that there are some advantages. I know that some local authorities are looking at this. They are free to do it if they wish. There are other considerations—for example, the employment pattern in the neighbourhood, the effect on holidays, and so forth.
§ Mr. Ronald BellI agree with the Answer which the Secretary of State has given, but will he help the present three-term system by trying to influence those responsible for the G.C.E. examinations to hold them a little later in the summer than they are doing at present?
§ Mr. ShortAll the G.C.E. examinations are now over by the end of June. My predecessor changed the regulations about the summer holiday last year. Local authorities have a fair amount of scope with the summer holidays. They can have them in July, August or September. There is a great deal of scope for staggering. Here again, it so much depends upon the pattern of employment in the neighbourhood.