King’s School Canterbury term dates for the academic year are here, covering the autumn, Lent, and summer terms. Whether you’re parents of boarders or day pupils at this independent school in Canterbury, Kent, you’ll find the start and end dates for each term, half-term, Christmas holidays, Easter holidays, and summer holidays below.
From Junior King’s and Prep School to Senior School and International College, this guide has you covered.
Junior King’s School Canterbury Term Dates
Here are the confirmed King’s School Canterbury term dates for the 2026/27 academic year:
Autumn Term 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| New Staff Induction Days | Thursday 27 and Friday 28 August |
| Staff Inset Days | Tuesday 1 and Wednesday 2 September |
| Term Begins (Boarders Return) | Tuesday 1 September and Wednesday 2 September |
| Term Begins (Day Pupils Return) | Thursday 3 September |
| Exeat | Friday 25 September – Sunday 27 September |
| Half Term | Friday 16 October – Tuesday 3 November |
| Staff Inset Day | Monday 2 November |
| Exeat | Friday 20 November – Sunday 22 November |
| Term Ends | Wednesday 9 December |
Lent Term 2027
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Staff Inset Day | Monday 4 January |
| Term Begins (Boarders Return) | Monday 4 January |
| Term Begins (Day Pupils) | Tuesday 5 January |
| Exeat | Friday 22 January – Sunday 24 January |
| Half Term | Friday 12 February – Sunday 21 February |
| Exeat | Friday 12 March – Sunday 14 March |
| Term Ends | Wednesday 24 March |
| Staff Inset | Thursday 25 March |
Summer Term 2027
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Term Begins (Boarders Return) | Sunday 18 April |
| Term Begins (Day Pupils) | Monday 19 April |
| Exeat | Saturday 1 May – Monday 3 May |
| Half Term | Friday 28 May – Sunday 6 June |
| Term Ends | Wednesday 30 June |
Senior School Term Dates
Senior School includes Shells, Remove, 6b, and Year 9 through Year 11 pupils. The schedule differs slightly from Junior King’s:
Autumn Term 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| New Staff Induction Days | Thursday 27 and Friday 28 August |
| Staff Inset Day | Tuesday 1 September |
| Term Begins (Shells Arrive) | Tuesday 1 September from 4pm |
| Term Begins (6b and New Remove) | Wednesday 2 September |
| Term Begins (Day Pupils) | Thursday 3 September by 8.30am |
| Fixed Exeat | Friday 25 September – Sunday 27 September |
| Half Term | Friday 16 October – Monday 2 November |
| Staff Inset Day | Monday 2 November |
| Fixed Exeat | Friday 20 November – Sunday 22 November |
| Term Ends | Friday 11 December |
Lent Term 2027
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Staff Inset Day | Monday 4 January |
| Term Begins (Boarders Return) | Monday 4 January by 6pm |
| Term Begins (Day Pupils) | Tuesday 5 January by 8.15am |
| Fixed Exeat | Friday 22 January – Sunday 24 January |
| Half Term | Friday 12 February – Sunday 21 February |
| Fixed Exeat | Friday 12 March – Sunday 14 March |
| Term Ends | Wednesday 24 March |
| Staff Inset Day | Wednesday 24 March (pm) and Thursday 25 March (am) |
Summer Term 2027
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Term Begins (Boarders Return) | Sunday 18 April by 6pm |
| Term Begins (Day Pupils) | Monday 19 April by 8.15am |
| Soft Exeat | Saturday 1 May – Monday 3 May |
| Half Term | Friday 28 May – Sunday 6 June |
| Term Ends | Thursday 1 July |
Read more: London School Holidays
International College Term Dates
International College welcomes students from Year 9 to Year 11 with a tailored schedule:
Autumn Term 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Start of Term (Year 11 Arrival) | Wednesday 2 September |
| Start of Term (Years 9 & 10 Arrival) | Thursday 3 September |
| Student Induction Days | Friday 4 September and Saturday 5 September |
| First Lessons | Monday 7 September |
| End of Half Term | Saturday 17 October (College closes at 12:30) |
| Start of Term | Monday 2 November (College reopens at 15:00) |
| End of Term | Friday 11 December (College closes at 13:30) |
Lent Term 2027 (Provisional)
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Start of Term | Monday 4 January (College opens at 15:00) |
| End of Half Term | Saturday 13 February (College closes at 10:00) |
| Start of Term | Sunday 21 February (College reopens at 15:00) |
| End of Term | Wednesday 24 March |
Summer Term 2027 (Provisional)
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Start of Term | Sunday 18 April (College opens at 15:00) |
| End of Half Term | Saturday 29 May (College closes at 12:30) |
| Start of Term | Sunday 6 June (College reopens at 15:00) |
| End of Term | Saturday 26 June (College closes at 12:30) |
King’s School Canterbury Half Term Dates
Half term breaks offer families valuable time together during the school year. Here are the confirmed half-term holiday dates:
| Term | Half Term Period | Return Date |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term 2026 | Friday 16 October – Monday 2 November | Tuesday 3 November (Day Pupils) |
| Lent Term 2027 | Friday 12 February – Sunday 21 February | Monday 22 February |
| Summer Term 2027 | Friday 28 May – Sunday 6 June | Monday 7 June |
King’s School Canterbury Holidays 2026/27
Here’s a complete breakdown of all holiday dates for the 2026/27 academic year:
Christmas Holidays
The Christmas holidays begin after term ends on Wednesday 9 December (Junior King’s), Friday 11 December (Senior School), or Friday 11 December (International College). Students return for the Lent term on Monday 4 January or Tuesday 5 January, depending on their year group.
Easter Holidays
The Easter holidays run from Friday 12 February to Sunday 21 February for half term, with the main Easter break beginning after term ends on Wednesday 24 March. Boarders return on Sunday 18 April, and day pupils return on Monday 19 April.
Summer Holidays
Summer holidays commence after term ends on Wednesday 30 June (Junior King’s), Thursday 1 July (Senior School), or Saturday 26 June (International College). The new academic year begins in late August or early September 2027.
Staff Inset Days and New Staff Induction
Staff inset days are training days for teachers when pupils do not attend school. For the 2026/27 academic year:
| Term | Staff Inset Days | New Staff Induction |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn 2026 | Tuesday 1 and Wednesday 2 September; Monday 2 November | Thursday 27 and Friday 28 August |
| Lent 2027 | Monday 4 January; Thursday 25 March | N/A |
| Summer 2027 | N/A | N/A |
Parents should note that lessons begin the day after staff inset days for day pupils, while boarders return on the inset day itself.
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Also read: England School Holidays
FAQs
Q1. When are the King’s School Canterbury Holidays in 2026?
The main holidays include Christmas holidays from December 2026, Easter holidays from late March 2027, and summer holidays from late June or early July 2027.
Q2. What is an exeat at King’s School Canterbury?
An exeat is a weekend when boarding houses close, and boarders must leave school. Fixed exeats have set dates, while soft exeats offer more flexibility.
Q3. Is King’s School Canterbury a boarding school?
Yes, King’s School Canterbury is a prestigious boarding school and independent school in Canterbury, Kent, UK, welcoming both boarders and day pupils.
Q4. What are the King’s School Canterbury Term Dates for 2026?
The autumn term begins on Tuesday 1 September 2026 for boarders and Thursday 3 September for day pupils. The term ends on Wednesday, 9 December, for Junior King’s and Friday, 11 December, for Senior School.
Planning your family calendar around King’s School Canterbury Term Dates 2026/27 and 2027/28 ensures you never miss an important date.
Official Link
For the most up-to-date information, visit:
The King’s School Canterbury
