We, the parents, carers, and supporters of students at Portesbery School, call on the Academy Trust Board and School Governors to reverse the decision to implement a two-week October half-term in 2027. We urge the school to remain aligned with Surrey County Council’s standard 1-week half-term schedule. 
While a two-week break may be intended to offer respite, it creates severe unintended crises for families of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND): 
Loss of Vital Education and Routine: Children with complex needs require more structured schooling and consistent routines, not less. A two-week disruption significantly harms their developmental progress, behavioralstability, and learning momentum. 
The Childcare and Care Crisis: Many of the Personal Assistants (PAs) and specialized carers who support our families during school holidays are employed by other Surrey schools. Because Surrey County Council is maintaining a standard 1-week break, these vital support workers will still be at work during the school's second week of closure. This leaves families completely without essential care. 
Impact on Working Parents: Managing around-the-clock care alongside employment is already a delicate balancing act. Forcing parents to find an extra week of specialized childcare—which is often non-existent or financially draining—forces parents to risk their jobs and livelihoods. 
Our children deserve maximum access to the specialized education this school provides, and our families deserve a calendar that accounts for the realities of SEND care. 
Please sign this petition to demand that the Academy Trust prioritizes our children’s needs and keeps the 2027 October half-term to 1 week.