Plans to change the school year will not happen this Senedd term, the education secretary has said, following a number of objections to the move.

Education Secretary Lynne Neagle confirmed on Tuesday, 4 June plans to change the school holidays will not happen this Senedd term “to give teachers and staff space and time to deliver other reforms.”

The decision follows what the Welsh Government called a “mixed response” to the consultation, which generated well over 16,000 responses, which sought views on changing the school calendar to spread school holidays out more evenly across the year.

Proposals suggested moving a week from the start of the summer break into the autumn break creating a two-week half term “to improve the education experiences of young people especially the most disadvantaged and align more effectively with how families live and work”.

“While a narrow majority of responses were in favour of changing school holidays, the findings from the consultation were equivocal and contradictory which highlights more discussion and exploration is needed to ensure any future amendments benefit everyone,” the Welsh Government said.

Any changes to the school year will not now take place in 2025/26 as was the original plan.

The pause will also allow other reforms such as the New Curriculum for Wales and reforms of Additional Learning Needs to be fully implemented and rolled out before other changes are introduced, the Welsh Government said.

The decision on the timing of implementation of the plans will also be deferred to the next Senedd term.

Welsh Government Education Secretary Lynne Neagle said: “My starting point is always the best interests of children and young people.

“This means ensuring reforms are properly planned out and have the time and space to succeed.

“Opinion was hugely divided on this.

“To ensure we get this right, we need to continue listening to and engaging with schools, teachers, unions as well as children, young people and parents on how best we can implement any changes in the future.

“I am acutely aware we are asking a lot of teachers and schools.

“They are supporting our ambitious transformation of education in Wales and they need the time and the space to ensure these reforms deliver for children and young people.

“I want to prioritise ongoing school reforms and improving attainment and therefore, no changes will be made to the school year this Senedd term.”