Planning your family’s school calendar for the next few years in Gloucestershire? Getting the official school dates from the Gloucestershire County Council is the first step for any school year planner. This guide provides the confirmed Gloucestershire School Term Dates for the academic year and the latest projections for Gloucestershire School Holidays. We’ll cover everything from the start and end of the school year to key bank holiday dates, such as Christmas Day and Easter Monday.
Remember, these are the local authority dates; for your child’s precise term dates, including INSET days (teachers’ in-service training days), please contact your child’s school directly. We’ll also explain the important rules if you need to take children on holiday during term time.
Gloucestershire School Holidays 2025/2026
Gloucestershire School Holidays for the academic year 2025 to 2026 run for 195 school days. Here is the full breakdown of school term dates:
| Term / Holiday Period | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Monday 1 September 2025 | Friday 24 October 2025 |
| Autumn Half-Term | Monday 27 October 2025 | Friday 31 October 2025 |
| Term 2 | Monday 3 November 2025 | Friday 19 December 2025 |
| Christmas Holidays | Monday 22 December 2025 | Friday 2 January 2026 |
| Term 3 | Monday 5 January 2026 | Friday 13 February 2026 |
| Spring Half-Term | Monday 16 February 2026 | Friday 20 February 2026 |
| Term 4 | Monday 23 February 2026 | Friday 27 March 2026 |
| Easter Holidays | Monday 30 March 2026 | Friday 10 April 2026 |
| Term 5 | Monday 13 April 2026 | Friday 22 May 2026 |
| Summer Half-Term | Monday 25 May 2026 | Friday 29 May 2026 |
| Term 6 | Monday 1 June 2026 | Monday 20 July 2026 |
| Summer Holidays | Tuesday 21 July 2026 | Tuesday 31 August 2026 |
Key Bank Holidays for 2025/26:
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Christmas Day Holiday: Thursday 25 December 2025
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Boxing Day Holiday: Friday 26 December 2025
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New Year’s Holiday: Thursday 1 January 2026
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Good Friday: Friday 3 April 2026
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Easter Monday: Monday 6 April 2026
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May Day Holiday: Monday 4 May 2026
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Spring Bank Holiday: Monday 25 May 2026
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Summer Bank Holiday: Monday 31 August 2026
Read More: East Dunbartonshire School Holidays
Gloucestershire School Holidays 2026/2027
Mark your calendars for the following Gloucestershire School Holidays for the 2026/27 school year. These dates are based on the standard pattern and council guidance.
| Term / Holiday Period | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Tuesday 1 September 2026 | Friday 23 October 2026 |
| Autumn Half-Term | Monday 26 October 2026 | Friday 30 October 2026 |
| Term 2 | Monday 2 November 2026 | Friday 18 December 2026 |
| Christmas Holidays | Monday 21 December 2026 | Friday 1 January 2027 |
| Term 3 | Monday 4 January 2027 | Friday 12 February 2027 |
| Spring Half-Term | Monday 15 February 2027 | Friday 19 February 2027 |
| Term 4 | Monday 22 February 2027 | Thursday 25 March 2027 |
| Easter Holidays | Monday 28 March 2027 | Friday 8 April 2027 |
| Term 5 | Monday 12 April 2027 | Friday 28 May 2027 |
| Summer Half-Term | Monday 31 May 2027 | Friday 4 June 2027 |
| Term 6 | Monday 7 June 2027 | Wednesday 21 July 2027 |
| Summer Holidays | Thursday 22 July 2027 | Wednesday 31 August 2027 |
Term Time Holidays: Rules and Permission
The rules on taking holidays during term time are strict to protect pupil attendance. Government and council guidance strongly advises that you should not take children on holiday during term time. Headteachers can only grant permission for leave in exceptional circumstances. A family holiday is typically not considered exceptional.
If you have an unavoidable holiday due to a unique circumstance, you must apply for permission in advance from your child’s headteacher. Unauthorised absence can result in a penalty notice from the local authority. It’s always best to plan family time around the official school holidays.
Also Read: Flintshire School Holidays
How to Get Your School’s Precise Term Dates
For the most accurate and final schedule, including INSET days, you have two definitive sources:
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Contact your child’s school directly. They will publish their own calendar with all specific closure dates.
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Check the official Gloucestershire County Council education page. You can find the source information for this guide on their Term Dates page.
For national policy on school attendance, visit the UK Government website.
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FAQs
Q1. Can I take my child out of school for a holiday in Gloucestershire?
No, not for a standard family holiday. Headteachers can only grant leave in exceptional circumstances, and a holiday is not usually considered one.
Q2. Are the term dates the same for every school in Gloucestershire?
Mostly, but not exactly. All schools follow the council’s framework, but their specific start/end dates may vary due to INSET days. Always check your own school’s calendar.
Q3. What are INSET days?
INSET days are In-Service Training Days for teachers. Schools are closed to pupils on these days, and they affect the precise start and end of each term.
Q4. How many school days are there in a Gloucestershire academic year?
There are typically 195 school days in a standard academic year, as set by the local authority.
Q5. Where can I find the official bank holiday dates?
The official UK bank holiday dates are listed on the GOV.UK website. They are also integrated into the school year planner provided by the Gloucestershire County Council.
Planning around the Gloucestershire School Holidays doesn’t have to be a puzzle. By using the official school dates from the Gloucestershire County Council as your foundation and then confirming the precise term dates with your child’s school, you can map out your family’s year with confidence.
Remember to factor in those all-important INSET days and the rules around term-time absence. We hope this guide serves as a valuable school year planner for all holiday dates for parents in Gloucestershire, helping you make the most of your time together.
