Planning ahead is essential for families, teachers, and students. Whether you’re organising childcare, booking family trips, or helping children revise for exams, knowing the UK school holidays and term dates helps life run smoothly.
This guide gives you a clear overview of the 2025/26 and 2026/27 school years — including term dates, holiday periods, in-service (teacher training) days, and bank holidays.
Please note: school holidays and term dates mat slightly different for every school so Better to visit official website of website.
UK School Holidays and Term Dates 2025/26
- Autumn Term 2025: Starts in early September and runs until mid-December (with a half-term break in late October).
- Spring Term 2026: Begins in early January, includes a February half-term, and ends before Easter.
- Summer Term 2026: Runs from April to July, with a May half-term and the long summer holidays starting in mid-July.
Holiday Dates for 2025/26
- Autumn Half Term: Typically late October
- Christmas Holidays: Around mid-December to early January
- Spring Half Term: One week in mid-February
- Easter Holidays: Two weeks in late March/early April
- Summer Half Term: One week in late May/early June
- Summer Holidays: From mid-July to late August
UK School Holidays and Term Dates 2026/27
Here are the official dates for the 2026/27 school year:
Term Dates 2026/27
- Autumn Term
- Opens: Tuesday 1 September 2026
- Closes: Friday 23 October 2026
- Reopens: Monday 2 November 2026
- Ends for Christmas: Friday 18 December 2026
- Spring Term
- Opens: Monday 4 January 2027
- Closes: Friday 12 February 2027
- Reopens: Monday 22 February 2027
- Ends for Easter: Thursday 25 March 2027
- Summer Term
- Opens: Monday 12 April 2027
- Closes: Friday 28 May 2027
- Reopens: Monday 7 June 2027
- Ends for Summer: Friday 16 July 2027
Holiday Dates 2026/27
- Autumn Half Term: Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026
- Christmas Holidays: Monday 21 December 2026 – Friday 1 January 2027
- Spring Half Term: Monday 15 February – Friday 19 February 2027
- Easter Holidays: Friday 26 March – Friday 9 April 2027
- Summer Half Term: Monday 31 May – Friday 4 June 2027
The summer holidays begin after Friday 16 July 2027, giving families a long break before the 2027/28 academic year.
In-Service Days & Bank Holidays
- In-service days: To be confirmed (TBC) — schools may choose different dates.
- Bank Holiday: Monday 3 May 2027 – schools closed.
Why These Dates Matter for Families
Understanding the term and holiday calendar allows parents and carers to:
- Plan family holidays without clashing with term time.
- Book childcare in advance for younger children.
- Support exam preparation for GCSEs, A-levels, or SATs.
- Budget better for holiday activities.
- Balance work leave with school breaks.
Regional Variations
School holidays in the UK can differ depending on location:
- England & Wales – Most schools follow similar patterns, but academies and free schools may set their own dates.
- Scotland – The school year often starts in mid-August.
- Northern Ireland – Breaks may differ, particularly around Easter.
Because of these variations, it’s always best to check the official website of your child’s school.
Summary
- 2025/26: Exact dates to be confirmed — but expect terms to follow the usual pattern of autumn, spring, and summer terms with half-terms, Christmas, Easter, and summer holidays.
- 2026/27: Dates confirmed (see above for full breakdown).
- In-service days: Schools decide individually (TBC).
- Bank holidays: Schools close on national bank holidays.
FAQs About UK School Holidays
1. When do UK schools usually start the year?
Most schools in England and Wales start in the first week of September. Scotland usually begins in mid-August.
2. How long are the Christmas holidays?
Typically two weeks, running from just before Christmas until early January.
3. What are the Easter holiday dates for 2027?
For 2026/27, Easter holidays run from Friday 26 March to Friday 9 April 2027.
4. When does the summer term end in 2027?
The summer term finishes on Friday 16 July 2027.
5. Do all UK schools follow the same term dates?
No. Academies, free schools, and independent schools can set their own dates. Local councils may also make adjustments.
6. Are in-service days included in term dates?
Not always. In-service (teacher training) days are set by each school, so pupils don’t attend. Always confirm with your child’s school.