VE Day Celebrations - May 2020

Overview

VE Day – 75^th Anniversary Celebrations – Friday 8 May 2020

The UK Government has approved a change to the date of next year’s early May bank holiday from Monday 4^th May to Friday 8^th May 2020 to mark the 75^th anniversary of VE Day.

8^th May 1945 was the day that peace was declared in Europe after nearly six years of war and the 75^th anniversary on 8 May 2020 represents an important milestone in the history of the UK. National celebrations of VE Day 75 are being led by the Pageantmaster with three days of commemorations planned throughout the UK from Friday 8^th May to Sunday 10^th May 2020.

East Lothian Council does not have a universal fixed holiday in May so there is no opportunity to move any existing May holiday for all council staff.  Schools are in a different position as the Education Service has already published term times for East Lothian Schools for 2019/20 showing a range of holidays including Monday 4^th May 2020. 

The Council is committed to marking the occasion and considered a range of options to do so at Full Council, 29^th October 2019. A copy of the report can be accessed via the following link:- https://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/16435/east_lothian_council

Following discussion and consideration the Council took a decision to approve Option E being to recognise Friday 8 May 2020 as an additional one-off leave day.  In agreeing this option it was requested that Parents/Carers be consulted on their views regarding an additional day’s school closure on Friday 8^th May 2020. Permission will have to be sought from Scottish Government for exceptional closure of schools on this day. The school calendar will also have to be adjusted accordingly if approval is granted. This additional school closure day will not impact on any young person sitting national qualifications in our schools, 4 May 2020.

In line with our statutory duties, the Education Service is seeking your views on the proposed additional closure day prior to submitting an application to do so to the Scottish Government. Can you please complete the following questionnaire to indicate your views on this matter, the closing date being Friday 6^th December 2019.