School term dates are agreed by the council

Cllr Peter Edgar, executive member for education, chose from three proposed options put forward by schools at his decision day on Wednesday.

He said: ‘For some time there’s been significant, ongoing debate around school term times, particularly in relation to the cost of holidays and travel during the designated school holidays.

‘For families with children in different schools, having to juggle conflicting dates can cause unnecessary inconvenience and stress.

‘The dates aim to ensure there is co-ordination with the county’s further education colleges, that tend to follow our pattern, and also with neighbouring authorities.’

The dates for Hampshire schools, including those in Fareham, Gosport and Havant, are: autumn term 2017 – 4 September to 21 December with half-term on October 23; spring term – 4 January to 29 March 2018 with half-term on February 12; summer term – 16 April to 23 July 2018, with half-term on May 28.