Pupils at three Banbury schools to be dismissed early for Christmas holidays

Three Banbury schools - Dashwood Academy, Harriers Academy and Wykham Park Academy - will finish early for the Christmas holidays later this week based on guidance issued by the central government.

Aspirations Academies Trust issued a statement about the early dismissal of pupils at three Banbury Schools, which includes Dashwood Academy, Harriers Academy and Wykham Park Academy.

A spokesperson for Aspirations Academies Trust said: ''Due to the ongoing nationwide difficulties arising from the pandemic, the Government has this week issued guidance setting out that schools across the country may wish to use an inset day to make Friday December 18th a non-teaching day.

"While it is unfortunate that this has been communicated so late in the term for schools to consider, Aspirations Academies Trust has decided that ending the term a day early for pupils is the best option.

"The last day of school this year for students at Dashwood Academy, Harriers Academy and Wykham Park Academy will be December 17th 2020.''

The decision, recently announced by the Schools Minister, was made to allow teachers to have a “proper break” from working with test and trace to identify Covid cases.

This means some schools in England can break up for Christmas a day earlier than planned, with the added holiday becoming an inset day for teachers.

Any other schools in the Banbury area who are also finishing early and would like to be listed can contact [email protected].