Wales School Holidays and Term Dates

Planning family life around Wales school holidays and school term dates just got easier. Wales has six main breaks: February half-term; Easter holidays start date in March/April; May half-term; summer school holidays (with summer break start date in July); October half-term; and Christmas holidays (with Christmas break end date in early January).

Whether you need spring half-term, Easter break, summer holidays, autumn half-term, or winter break—this school calendar covers all half-term dates, term time, inset days, and school return dates.

Wales School Term Dates and Calendar

Below you’ll find the official Wales school holidays for the next three academic years.

Wales School Holidays 2025/2026

Wales School Holidays 2026/2027

Inset Days & Local Authority Variations Wales

Here’s something many parents miss: inset days (teacher training days) are set by each council, not the national calendar. That means school return dates can differ between Cardiff, Swansea, and Wrexham.

• Typical inset days in Wales: 2–5 days per academic year.

• Most common inset days: First day of autumn term, first day after February half term, and last day before summer holidays.

• Local authority term dates in Wales—check your council’s website for final confirmation.

Primary vs Secondary School Holidays in Wales

Good news—Wales primary school holidays and Wales secondary school holidays are almost always identical. The Welsh government mandates the same term-time Wales structure for all state-funded schools.

Only small differences you might see:

• Secondary schools sometimes have an extra inset day for exam preparation.

• A few primary schools add a “transition day” at the end of the summer term.

Otherwise, the half-term dates above work for every Welsh state school holiday list.

Also Read: Northern Ireland School Holidays

FAQs

1. Do Wales and England have the same school holidays?

No. Wales school holidays are different from English ones—Wales usually starts summer holidays one week earlier and has a different February half-term week.

2. When do schools return after Christmas in Wales in 2026?

Schools return on 5th January 2026 for the 2025/26 winter break, and 4th January 2027 for the 2026/27 Christmas break end date.

3. Are inset days included in the Wales school holiday dates above?

No. The dates above are pupil holidays. Inset days are extra closure days added by each local authority – always check your council’s term dates.

4. Do Welsh primary and secondary schools break up on the same day?

Yes. Both follow the same Wales school holiday schedule, though secondary schools may occasionally add one inset day for exams.

5. What is the summer break start date for Welsh schools in 2026?

The summer break starts on 21st July 2026 and ends on 31st August 2026 for the 2025/26 academic year.

Planning around Wales school holidays doesn’t have to be stressful. Whether you’re booking a February half-term getaway, organising childcare for May half-term, or simply marking your school calendar, these half-term dates give you a reliable head start.

Remember: inset days and local authority term dates in Wales can shift things slightly, so always confirm with your council. Bookmark this page for the latest Wales school term dates and come back whenever you need a fresh printable calendar.

Official source:
📌 UK Government – School term and holiday dates in Wales