Leicester is set to keep its traditional school summer holiday pattern after thousands of parents had their say.

In documents published on Leicester City Council's decisions page, assistant city mayor for children and young people Councillor Elaine Pantling is recommended to approve new term times for schools.

Residents were asked in spring to choose between two models for the school years 2027/28 to 2032/33.

The choices were between an earlier autumn term start with a two-week half-term (model 1), or the current autumn start with a one-week half term (model 2).

Both options retained the Leicestershire fortnight – when schools break up for the summer two weeks earlier than the rest of the country.

Votes for each option were almost evenly split between more than 6,000 school staff, parents, and members of the public.

There was "no clear overall consensus", with 50.4 per cent voting for model 1 and 49.6 voting for model 2.

While votes from school staff leaned towards model 1, model 2 was more popular with parents.

Officers said it was a judgment call among these stakeholders and ultimately backed the current model, which is preferred by the parents.

Cllr Pantling is set to formally approve this timetable on September 2, meaning local schools will begin the next five years in late August, after the bank holiday, and retain the current one-week autumn half-term and the early-July finish.

Cllr Pantling said: "Setting school term dates is an important decision that affects thousands of families, pupils and school staff across Leicester. We are grateful to everyone who took part in the consultation and shared their views.

"The term date model we have gone for reflects the feedback we received and provides a clear and consistent framework for schools and families over the next five years. Importantly, it retains the traditional end of the academic year in the second week of July, which was a key consideration during the decision-making process."

The majority of those surveyed also considered alignment with Leicestershire's term times to be important.

According to the report, both authorities previously worked together on the dates but Leicestershire County Council has since launched its own consultation, seeking opinion on alternative models to those proposed by the city.

While the majority of holidays being considered by the county align with Leicester's proposed models, there are differences in the proposed start and end dates of the academic year.

The county cabinet is scheduled to discuss the term times when they meet on September 8.

Meeting documents are expected this Friday (August 28).

A Leicestershire County Council spokesperson said: "The council's cabinet will consider Leicestershire's school term dates for 2027/28 to 2031/32 when it meets on September 8.

"Two proposals were put forward for public consultation, both of which maintained Leicestershire's 'traditional' early start to the summer holidays. One was a continuation of the current term pattern while the other proposed an earlier start to the autumn term to accommodate a two-week October half term."