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Daily Record
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Exam clash fears prompt change to West Lothian school holidays
The changes will see the Easter holiday moved forward, and will also take account of the council election in early May 2027. Easter holiday dates for West Lothian schools are being changed after concerns were raised about the SQA exam dates. West Lothian council has revised its term dates for the new school year in 2026-27. The changes will see the Easter holiday moved forward, and will also take account of the council election in early May 2027. In a report to the Education PDSP Hannah Haywood, Customer Services Manager said: 'Easter is early in 2027.' She added: 'Proposed dates for session 2026/27 were presented to Education PDSP on 1 April. Consultation on the proposed dates was still under way at that time. 'Four responses were received, two expressing satisfaction with the proposed dates, and two requesting that the Easter Break should be later. 'Since the meeting on 1 April 2025, new information about the SQA time-scales has been provided, and it is now clear that the previously proposed timing of the Easter break would potentially negatively impact on students meeting submission deadlines for SQA awards. She added: ' Easter is early in 2027, and the original proposal was for the schools to break up on Friday 19 March, and resume on Monday 5 April, with the Easter weekend in the middle. 'A new proposal is now being presented, which moves the Easter break to make it one week later, starting on Good Friday 26 March, and resuming on Monday 12 April. 'As the Easter break is now two weeks and one day long rather than two weeks, the new proposal removes the Friday from the September weekend to make sure that we provide the required 190 teaching days in the session.' As ever the West Lothian holidays are unlikely to tie with neighbouring councils, many of which have yet to be confirmed. Chairing the PDSP Councillor Andrew McGuire said he and fellow councillors were unlikely to forget to move an in-service day to the first Thursday in May as this marks the end of their current council term. The in-service day in May 2026 has also been moved from Tuesday 5 May to Thursday 7 May to coincide with the Scottish Parliamentary Election. Term dates for 2026/27 are:- Pupils return: Wednesday 12 August September weekend: Monday 21 September October holiday: Friday 16 October-Tuesday 27 October Christmas holiday: Friday 18 December- Tuesday 5 January Mid Term: Friday 5 February - Tuesday 16 February Easter Holidays: Thursday 26 March - Monday 5 April May Day holiday Monday 3 May Staff in-service Thursday 6 May. The new term dates will have to be confirmed by the Education Executive when it meets in two weeks' time.
Edinburgh Reporter
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
West Lothian Council revises term dates for new school year in 2026-27
West Lothian council has revised its term dates for the new school year in 2026-27. The changes will see Easter holiday moved forward and will also take account of the council election in early May 2027. In a report to the Education PDSP Hannah Haywood, Customer Services Manager said: 'Easter is early in 2027.' She added: 'Proposed dates for session 2026/27 were presented to Education PDSP on 1 April. Consultation on the proposed dates was still under way at that time. 'Four responses were received, two expressing satisfactions with the proposed dates, and two requesting that the Easter Break should be later. 'Since the meeting on 1 April 2025, new information about the SQA time-scales has been provided, and it is now clear that the previously proposed timing of the Easter break would potentially negatively impact on students meeting submission deadlines for SQA awards. She added: 'Easter is early in 2027, and the original proposal was for the schools to break up on Friday 19 March, and resume on Monday 5 April, with the Easter weekend in the middle. 'A new proposal is now being presented, which moves the Easter break to make it one week later, starting on Good Friday 26 March, and resuming on Monday 12 April. 'As the Easter break is now two weeks and one day long rather than two weeks, the new proposal removes the Friday from the September weekend to make sure that we provide the required 190 teaching days in the session.' As ever the West Lothian holidays are unlikely to tie with neighbouring councils, many of which have yet to be confirmed. Chairing the PDSP Councillor Andrew McGuire said he and fellow councillors were unlikely to forget to move an in-service day to the first Thursday in May as this marks the end of their current council term. The in-service day in May 2026 has also been moved from Tuesday 5 May to Thursday 7 May to coincide with the Scottish Parliamentary Election. Term dates for 2026/27 are:- Pupils return: Wednesday 12 August September weekend: Monday 21 September October holiday: Friday 16 October-Tuesday 27 October Christmas holiday: Friday 18 December- Tuesday 5 January Mid Term: Friday 5 February – Tuesday 16 February Easter Holidays: Thursday 26 March – Monday 5 April May Day holiday Monday 3 May Staff in-service Thursday 6 May. The new term dates will have to be confirmed by the Education Executive when it meets in two weeks' time. Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
11-06-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Live
Exam clash fears prompt change to West Lothian school holidays
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Easter holiday dates for West Lothian schools are being changed after concerns were raised about the SQA exam dates. West Lothian council has revised its term dates for the new school year in 2026-27. The changes will see Easter holiday moved forward, and will also take account of the council election in early May 2027. In a report to the Education PDSP Hannah Haywood, Customer Services Manager said: 'Easter is early in 2027.' She added: 'Proposed dates for session 2026/27 were presented to Education PDSP on 1 April. Consultation on the proposed dates was still under way at that time. 'Four responses were received, two expressing satisfaction with the proposed dates, and two requesting that the Easter Break should be later. 'Since the meeting on 1 April 2025, new information about the SQA time-scales has been provided, and it is now clear that the previously proposed timing of the Easter break would potentially negatively impact on students meeting submission deadlines for SQA awards. She added: ' Easter is early in 2027, and the original proposal was for the schools to break up on Friday 19 March, and resume on Monday 5 April, with the Easter weekend in the middle. 'A new proposal is now being presented, which moves the Easter break to make it one week later, starting on Good Friday 26 March, and resuming on Monday 12 April. 'As the Easter break is now two weeks and one day long rather than two weeks, the new proposal removes the Friday from the September weekend to make sure that we provide the required 190 teaching days in the session.' As ever the West Lothian holidays are unlikely to tie with neighbouring councils, many of which have yet to be confirmed. Chairing the PDSP Councillor Andrew McGuire said he and fellow councillors were unlikely to forget to move an in-service day to the first Thursday in May as this marks the end of their current council term. The in-service day in May 2026 has also been moved from Tuesday 5 May to Thursday 7 May to coincide with the Scottish Parliamentary Election. Term dates for 2026/27 are:- Pupils return: Wednesday 12 August September weekend: Monday 21 September October holiday: Friday 16 October-Tuesday 27 October Christmas holiday: Friday 18 December- Tuesday 5 January Mid Term: Friday 5 February - Tuesday 16 February Easter Holidays: Thursday 26 March - Monday 5 April May Day holiday Monday 3 May Staff in-service Thursday 6 May. The new term dates will have to be confirmed by the Education Executive when it meets in two weeks' time.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
Criminal probe into West Lothian schools cyber attack continues as staff thanked for patience
School staff and pupils have been thanked for their patience, as an investigation into a suspected ransomware attack earlier this week continues West Lothian's education executive councillor also paid tribute to council IT staff for their prompt response to the incident. A criminal investigation into a suspected ransomware attack on West Lothian schools is ongoing. READ MORE: Tearful tributes paid to Edinburgh councillor after unexpected death READ MORE: UK households who leave Fairy Liquid near kitchen sink issued warning The council was alerted to the cyber attack on Tuesday afternoon. Schools across the county were able to continue to operate after contingency plans were introduced. Councillor Andrew McGuire, who chairs the Education Executive told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: 'As we have seen from major high street retailers in recent weeks cyber attacks are happening with increasing frequency and can cause havoc to organisations in a world now dominated by computers. 'Our dedicated IT staff are working tirelessly to resolve the issues and to get the education IT network back on track. ' I want to thank all the staff and students in schools for their patience over the last few days in what I'm sure is a very unsettling time and would encourage everyone to remain vigilant about cyber attacks.' A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: 'We are continuing to work to mitigate the impact of a suspected criminal ransomware cyber attack on our education network. 'This remains a live criminal investigation, and we are working with all relevant external agencies including Police Scotland and the Scottish Government. 'There is no evidence that the council's corporate and public access networks are affected, or that any personal or sensitive data has been accessed. 'The education network remains isolated from the rest of the council's networks, while our IT Services team and external organisations and agencies investigate the issue and work to restore systems. 'We are very grateful for all the support we have received from various organisations and agencies during this challenging time. 'The council's contingency plans are operating effectively to ensure that our schools continue to deliver education with minimal impact on pupils, including SQA exams.' Ransomware is a type of malware which prevents someone from accessing a device and the data stored on it, usually by encrypting files, Criminal groups will demand a ransom in exchange for decryption. In recent weeks both the Co-op and Marks and Spencer have seen trade disrupted after hackers broke into their IT causing shortages in stores and stalling online ordering. West Lothian has 13 secondary schools, 69 primary schools and 61 nurseries Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
STV News
09-05-2025
- STV News
Investigation ongoing after West Lothian schools targeted in cyber attack
A criminal investigation into a suspected ransomware attack on West Lothian schools is ongoing. The council was alerted to the cyber attack on Tuesday afternoon. Schools across the county were able to continue to operate after contingency plans were introduced. School staff and pupils have been thanked for their patience, as an investigation into a suspected ransomware attack earlier this week continues West Lothian's education executive councillor also paid tribute to council IT staff for their prompt response to the incident. Councillor Andrew McGuire, who chairs the Education Executive told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: 'As we have seen from major high street retailers in recent weeks cyber attacks are happening with increasing frequency and can cause havoc to organisations in a world now dominated by computers. 'Our dedicated IT staff are working tirelessly to resolve the issues and to get the education IT network back on track. 'I want to thank all the staff and students in schools for their patience over the last few days in what I'm sure is a very unsettling time and would encourage everyone to remain vigilant about cyber attacks.' A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: 'We are continuing to work to mitigate the impact of a suspected criminal ransomware cyber attack on our education network. 'This remains a live criminal investigation, and we are working with all relevant external agencies including Police Scotland and the Scottish Government. 'There is no evidence that the council's corporate and public access networks are affected, or that any personal or sensitive data has been accessed. 'The education network remains isolated from the rest of the council's networks, while our IT Services team and external organisations and agencies investigate the issue and work to restore systems. 'We are very grateful for all the support we have received from various organisations and agencies during this challenging time. 'The council's contingency plans are operating effectively to ensure that our schools continue to deliver education with minimal impact on pupils, including SQA exams.' Ransomware is a type of malware which prevents someone from accessing a device and the data stored on it, usually by encrypting files, Criminal groups will demand a ransom in exchange for decryption. In recent weeks both the Co-op and Marks and Spencer have seen trade disrupted after hackers broke into their IT causing shortages in stores and stalling online ordering. West Lothian has 13 secondary schools, 69 primary schools and 61 nurseries. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
