There are five main school holiday periods in Derry each academic year, including the summer holidays, Christmas, Easter, Halloween, and mid-term breaks. The Derry School Holidays calendar helps families plan ahead with clarity and confidence.
This page provides accurate Derry School Holidays and term dates, making it easy for parents and carers to check school closures and term times throughout the year.
Let’s dive into your complete school holiday planning Derry resource.
Derry School Holidays 2025/2026
2025-2026 Term Dates
Here is the academic calendar for the Derry school year 2025/2026.
| Term | Starting Date | Ending Date |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term | Monday 1 September 2025 | Friday 19 December 2025 |
| Spring Term | Monday 5 January 2026 | Thursday 2 April 2026 |
| Summer Term | Monday 20 April 2026 | Tuesday 30 June 2026 |
2025-2026 Bank Holidays
These public holidays Derry schools are standard non-operational dates for Derry schools.
| Bank Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Halloween Break | Thu 30 & Fri 31 Oct 2025 |
| St Patrick’s Day | Tue 17 March 2026 |
| May Day | Mon 4 May 2026 |
| Spring Bank Holiday | Mon 25 May 2026 |
Derry School Holidays 2026/2027
2026-2027 Term Dates
Plan ahead with these operational dates for the next academic year.
| Term | Starting Date | Ending Date |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term | Tuesday 1 September 2026 | Friday 18 December 2026 |
| Spring Term | Tuesday 5 January 2027 | Thursday 1 April 2027 |
| Summer Term | Monday 19 April 2027 | Wednesday 30 June 2027 |
2026-2027 Bank Holidays
Mark these holiday breaks in your term schedule.
| Bank Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Halloween Break | Fri 30 & Mon 31 Oct 2026* |
| St Patrick’s Day | Wed 17 March 2027 |
| May Day | Mon 3 May 2027 |
| Spring Bank Holiday | Mon 31 May 2027 |
*May differ if 31st Oct falls on a weekend.
Derry School Holidays 2027/2028
2027-2028 Term Dates
Looking further ahead? Here are the projected Derry School Term Dates.
| Term | Starting Date | Ending Date |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term | Wednesday 1 September 2027 | Friday 17 December 2027 |
| Spring Term | Wednesday 5 January 2028 | Thursday 23 March 2028 |
| Summer Term | Monday 10 April 2028 | Friday 30 June 2028 |
2027-2028 Bank Holidays
Anticipated bank holiday school closures Derry for your long-term planning.
| Bank Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Halloween Break | Mon 31 Oct & Tue 1 Nov 2027* |
| St Patrick’s Day | Fri 17 March 2028 |
| May Day | Mon 1 May 2028 |
| Spring Bank Holiday | Mon 29 May 2028 |
*Subject to confirmation by the Education Authority NI.
Detailed Derry School Holidays Explained
Summer Holidays in Derry
The Derry school summer holiday start is typically July 1st. Schools in Derry then resume in early September, marking the key when do schools in Derry resume date for the new academic year.
Christmas & New Year Break
The Derry school Christmas holidays usually run from around December 22nd to January 2nd, providing a festive break for families.
Easter Holidays
Derry school Easter holidays fall in March or April. These holiday dates vary each year based on the lunar calendar, so check our tables above.
Mid-Term (Half-Term) Breaks
Each term includes a short Derry school mid-term break, often in late October (Halloween) and mid-February. These are perfect for short family getaways.
Public & Bank Holiday Closures
Single-day school closures include Derry school St Patrick’s Day holiday, Derry school May Day holiday, and the Derry school Spring Bank Holiday. Always confirm with your school’s specific school holiday list Derry.
Understanding Discretionary School Closures
What Are Staff Training (Inset) Days?
Staff training days Derry schools, also called in-service days or Derry school inset days, are school discretionary days where teachers train but pupils do not attend. These non-operational dates are set by individual schools.
School Development Days: What Parents Need to Know
Similar to inset days, school development days Derry are used for planning and training. Your school will provide advance notice of these pupil attendance closures.
Remember, while these Derry School Term Dates provide a solid framework, always verify the final holiday dates with your child’s school for any unique school discretionary days.
Related School Holidays
Check useful resources
For the most precise information, always check with:
- Derry Council and local school websites.
- The official Education Authority NI holidays page for School holidays Northern Ireland.
FAQs
When do Derry schools break up for summer?
Most Derry Schools break up for summer on or around June 30th, with the Derry school summer holiday start officially on July 1st.
Are Derry school holidays the same as the rest of the UK?
No. NI School Holidays are set separately. Derry School Holidays follow the Northern Ireland academic calendar, which differs from England, Scotland, and Wales.
How can I find my specific school’s calendar?
Contact your school directly or visit the Education Authority NI website. Individual schools publish their own term schedule including school development days.
What happens on staff training days?
Pupils do not attend. These are school discretionary days dedicated to teacher training and planning, crucial for school improvement.
Do all schools in Derry close on the same bank holidays?
Generally, yes. Public holidays Derry schools, like St Patrick’s Day and May Day, are standard bank holiday school closures Derry. However, some grant-aided schools may have variations.