England School Holidays and Term Dates

Planning around England school holidays and term dates can feel like a puzzle. With local council variations, teacher training days, and regional differences in England, dates shift. Across the UK education system, there are roughly 195 school days per year, leaving 13–16 weeks of breaks, including autumn half term, spring half term, summer break start, Easter holidays, Christmas holidays, February half term, May half term, and October half term.

Below, we’ve mapped UK school holiday dates by council (typical dates) for state school holidays, school reopening dates, school closure dates, and end-of-school-year timelines.

School Term Dates and Complete Calendar

Most UK school holidays run Monday to Friday. Below are the standard dates for state school holidays across England.

England School Holidays 2025/2026

England School Holidays 2026/2027

Inset Days 2026/2027, England

Teacher training days (also called in-service days) are not nationally fixed. Most schools schedule 5 inset days per academic year. Common dates for inset days in 2026/2027 include the following:

• First Monday of September 2026

• First Monday of November 2026

• First Monday of January 2027

• First Monday of February 2027

• First Monday of June 2027

Do School Holiday Dates Vary by Council in England?

Yes. Local council variations exist because each local authority’s holiday team sets term dates within national guidelines. For example:

• London boroughs often start summer break earlier (mid-July)

• Northern England may finish summer break later (early September)

• Rural counties add extra inset days for teacher training

✅ Use the UK government’s search tool (gov.uk) to find UK school holiday dates by council using your postcode.

England School Holidays Printable Calendar

Get your free England School Holidays Printable Calendar (PDF) covering 2025, 2026, and 2027. Includes school reopening dates, end of the school year, UK bank holidays, and all half-term dates.

Also Read: Renfrewshire School Holidays

FAQs

Q1. Can parents take children out of school during term time in England?

No. Fines apply unless exceptional circumstances exist. Schools no longer authorise holidays during England’s school term dates, except in rare situations such as funerals or military leave.

Q2. Do all English schools have the same half-term dates?

No. Local council variations shift dates by up to one week. Private schools and academies set their own term dates independent of state school holidays.

Q3. How many weeks of summer holiday do English schools have?

Six weeks. The summer break runs from mid-July to early September, though regional differences in England can add or remove a few days.

Q4. When are the cheapest weeks to travel for school holidays in England?

February half-term and October half-term — lowest holiday pricing. Avoid Christmas holidays and the start of summer break for the best value.

Q5. Are inset days included in the published school holiday dates?

No. Teacher training days are separate and vary by school. Always check your school’s website for school closure dates before booking.

Knowing England school holidays turns stress into strategy. Whether your parents are planning around term dates, booking travel for school breaks, or arranging childcare during holidays, this academic calendar gives you the edge. Book May half-term for lower prices, avoid fines with school attendance rules, and always double-check UK school holiday dates by the council.

✅ Ready to plan your family breaks?
👉 Get your free printable calendar or check your local council’s official page.

Official reference:
UK Government – School term dates and holidays

Calendar Times UK – Helping families plan smarter, not harder.