Schools should close on the additional May bank holiday next year, even though it is due to clash with key stage 2 Sats, the Department for Education has said.
In an email to heads today, the DfE said that the Standards and Testing Agency would update schools as to what this means for the Sats test week “as soon as possible this month”.
An extra bank holiday has been announced for Monday 8 May, two days after the coronation of King Charles III.
But this date clashes with the first day of Sats week.
In an email sent to heads this afternoon, the DfE said: “Settings that are normally closed on a bank holiday should close on this day. This will include schools and colleges.”
Schools will now face three bank holidays in May, with one on 1 May and another on 29 May.
And some schools may be closed on 4 May as well, if they are being used as polling stations in the local elections.
In the same email to school leaders the DfE has also urged heads to report any drone sightings to the police amid concerns about increased activity close to school settings.
