West Lothian school pupils will be given an extra day’s holiday for the coronation of King Charles III on Monday 8 May.
The Coronation falls in the midst of the SQA senior exams but West Lothian Council's Education Executive heard that the exams timetable had been altered to accommodate the extra day’s holiday.
A report to the Education Executive said: “Following the Council Executive agreeing that all Council staff are granted an additional day of annual leave on Monday 8 May 2023, it is recommended that schools and early learning and childcare establishments close on this date, and that the permission of Scottish Ministers is sought to reduce the number of days of education to 189.”
READ MORE: Four West Lothian care homes facing closure as budget cuts hit
The report, by Andrew Sneddon, Service Manager, Education Services said: “SQA exams were scheduled to take place on this date. In light of the announced public holiday, no exams will now take place on Monday 8 May 2023.
“SQA has engaged with partners in finalising where the relevant exams should be moved within the existing timetable, and will be informing centres of the finalised arrangements shortly.”
The council has already announced that it will run an emergency only operation for services and the paper on proposed school closures was confirmed without discussion.
The report said: “This will provide all pupils and all staff with an extra holiday to enable them to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III. It will be in line with arrangements adopted for other Council services and staff.”
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