Planning family holidays, childcare, or work schedules around the school year? Here is the complete list of Essex school holidays and term dates for 2025/26, including half-term breaks, bank holidays, and staff training days.
At a glance: These dates apply to community and voluntary-controlled schools in Essex. Academies, foundations, and voluntary-aided schools may have different dates, so always check with your child’s school for confirmation.
Essex School Holidays and Term Dates 2025/26
| Term | Start Date | End Date | Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term 1 | Mon 1 Sept 2025 | Fri 24 Oct 2025 | Autumn Half Term |
| Autumn Half Term | Mon 27 Oct 2025 | Fri 31 Oct 2025 | – |
| Autumn Term 2 | Mon 3 Nov 2025 | Fri 19 Dec 2025 | Christmas Holiday |
| Winter Holiday (Christmas) | Mon 22 Dec 2025 | Fri 2 Jan 2026 | – |
| Spring Term 3 | Mon 5 Jan 2026 | Fri 13 Feb 2026 | Spring Half Term |
| Spring Half Term | Mon 16 Feb 2026 | Fri 20 Feb 2026 | – |
| Spring Term 4 | Mon 23 Feb 2026 | Fri 27 Mar 2026 | Easter Holiday |
| Spring Holiday (Easter) | Mon 30 Mar 2026 | Fri 10 Apr 2026 | – |
| Summer Term 5 | Mon 13 Apr 2026 | Fri 22 May 2026 | Summer Half Term |
| Early May Bank Holiday | Mon 4 May 2026 | – | – |
| Summer Half Term | Mon 25 May 2026 | Fri 29 May 2026 | – |
| Summer Term 6 | Mon 1 Jun 2026 | Mon 20 Jul 2026 | Summer Holiday |
| Summer Holiday | Tue 21 Jul 2026 | Mon 31 Aug 2026 | – |
Autumn Term 2025
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Term 1: Monday 1 September – Friday 24 October 2025
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Autumn Half Term: Monday 27 October – Friday 31 October 2025
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Term 2: Monday 3 November – Friday 19 December 2025
Winter Holiday (Christmas)
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Monday 22 December 2025 – Friday 2 January 2026
Read More: Highland Council School Holidays
Spring Term 2026
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Term 3: Monday 5 January – Friday 13 February 2026
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Spring Half Term: Monday 16 February – Friday 20 February 2026
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Term 4: Monday 23 February – Friday 27 March 2026
Easter Holiday
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Monday 30 March – Friday 10 April 2026
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Summer Term 2026
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Term 5: Monday 13 April – Friday 22 May 2026
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Early May Bank Holiday: Monday 4 May 2026
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Summer Half Term: Monday 25 May – Friday 29 May 2026
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Term 6: Monday 1 June – Monday 20 July 2026
Summer Holiday
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Tuesday 21 July – Monday 31 August 2026
Also Read: Renfrewshire School Holidays
School Days, Staff Training & Inset Days
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There are 195 school days in the academic year.
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Schools allocate 5 additional inset (staff training) days—these vary, so check directly with your child’s school.
Which Schools Do These Dates Apply To?
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Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools → Dates above apply directly.
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Academies, Foundations, and Voluntary-Aided Schools → They may set their own term dates, so contact the school for confirmation.
Check out the Official Essex County Council Term Dates 2025/26
FAQs
Q1: Do these dates apply to academies in Essex?
No. Academies, foundation schools, and voluntary-aided schools may set different dates. Always confirm directly with your child’s school.
Q2: How many school days are there in 2025/26?
There are 195 teaching days, plus 5 staff training (inset) days.
Q3: When is the early May bank holiday in 2026?
The Early May Bank Holiday falls on Monday, 4 May 2026.
Q4: When does the summer holiday start in Essex in 2026?
Essex summer holidays begin Tuesday, 21 July 2026.
We hope this complete guide to Essex School Holidays and term dates takes the stress out of your planning for the 2025–2026 academic year.
For more great planning guides, like UK school holidays or UK bank holidays, explore the rest of Calendar Times UK!
