England has six school terms and multiple half-term breaks, making it essential for families to plan. This page provides England school holidays and term dates, covering the full academic calendar used by most local authority-maintained schools.
These dates apply to most state schools across England. Always confirm with your child’s school, as academies and free schools may set slightly different term dates.
England School Holidays 2025/2026
Here’s a look at the England school holidays for the 2025/2026 academic year.
2025-2026 Term Dates
| Term/Holiday | Starting Date | Ending Date |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term 1 | Monday, 1 September 2025 | Friday, 24 October 2025 |
| Autumn Half-Term | Monday, 27 October 2025 | Friday, 31 October 2025 |
| Autumn Term 2 | Monday, 3 November 2025 | Friday, 19 December 2025 |
| Christmas Holidays | Monday, 22 December 2025 | Monday, 5 January 2026 |
| Spring Term 1 | Tuesday, 6 January 2026 | Friday, 13 February 2026 |
| Spring Half-Term | Monday, 16 February 2026 | Friday, 20 February 2026 |
| Spring Term 2 | Monday, 23 February 2026 | Friday, 27 March 2026 |
| Easter Holidays | Monday, 30 March 2026 | Friday, 10 April 2026 |
| Summer Term 1 | Monday, 13 April 2026 | Friday, 22 May 2026 |
| Summer Half-Term | Monday, 25 May 2026 | Friday, 29 May 2026 |
| Summer Term 2 | Monday, 1 June 2026 | Wednesday, 21 July 2026 |
| Summer Holidays | Thursday, 22 July 2026 | Tuesday, 1 September 2026 |
2026 Bank Holidays
| Bank Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Thursday, 1 January 2026 |
| Good Friday | Friday, 3 April 2026 |
| Easter Monday | Monday, 6 April 2026 |
| Early May Bank Holiday | Monday, 4 May 2026 |
| Spring Bank Holiday | Monday, 25 May 2026 |
| Summer Bank Holiday | Monday, 31 August 2026 |
| Christmas Day | Friday, 25 December 2026 |
| Boxing Day | Saturday, 26 December 2026 |
| Boxing Day (Observed) | Monday, 28 December 2026* |
Have a Question About School Holiday Dates?
If you’ve spotted an issue, need clarification, or have a question about UK school holidays or term dates, feel free to get in touch with us.
England School Holidays 2026/2027
This section covers the complete England school holidays for the 2026/2027 period.
2026-2027 Term Dates
| Term/Holiday | Starting Date | Ending Date |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term 1 | Tuesday, 1 September 2026 | Friday, 23 October 2026 |
| Autumn Half-Term | Monday, 26 October 2026 | Friday, 30 October 2026 |
| Autumn Term 2 | Monday, 2 November 2026 | Friday, 18 December 2026 |
| Christmas Holidays | Monday, 21 December 2026 | Monday, 3 January 2027 |
| Spring Term 1 | Tuesday, 4 January 2027 | Friday, 12 February 2027 |
| Spring Half-Term | Monday, 15 February 2027 | Friday, 19 February 2027 |
| Spring Term 2 | Monday, 22 February 2027 | Thursday, 25 March 2027 |
| Easter Holidays | Friday, 26 March 2027 | Friday, 9 April 2027 |
| Summer Term 1 | Monday, 12 April 2027 | Friday, 28 May 2027 |
| Summer Half Term | Monday, 31 May 2027 | Friday, 4 June 2027 |
| Summer Term 2 | Monday, 7 June 2027 | Wednesday, 21 July 2027 |
| Summer Holidays | Thursday, 22 July 2027 | Tuesday, 31 August 2027 |
Staff Development Days (Inset Days)
Staff development days, also known as inset days, are set by individual schools. Pupils do not attend school on these days, so always check your school’s official calendar.
England school holidays follow a structured school term calendar designed to balance learning and rest. Use this page as your UK school calendar reference, and always confirm dates locally.
School Holidays by Council
For the most authoritative source, please visit the official UK government website:
FAQs
How many teaching days are in a school year in England?
There are 190 teaching days in a standard school year. This is a national requirement for maintained schools.
Are school term dates the same everywhere in England?
No, they can vary slightly. Academies and some local authorities can set their own local authority term dates, so always check your school’s website for the definitive school information.
Can I take my child on holiday during term time?
You must request permission from the headteacher. Unauthorised term time holidays can result in a fine, as they disrupt the required teaching days.
What are INSET days?
INSET days are staff training days. They are pupil free days used for teacher development and planning.
Do all schools in England follow the same term dates?
No. Most local authority schools do, but academies may vary.
Are bank holidays included in school holidays?
Yes. Schools are closed on all official bank holidays.
Do half-term dates change every year?
Yes. Half-term dates depend on the academic calendar.