UK School Holidays — Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about UK school term dates, half-terms, and holidays.
When is half-term in the UK for 2025-2026?
UK school half-term dates vary by school and local authority. Most schools in England have autumn half-term in late October 2025, spring half-term in mid-February 2026, and summer half-term in late May 2026. The exact dates depend on your specific school — search for your school on TermTimes.uk to find precise dates.
When do schools break up for Christmas 2025?
Most UK schools break up for Christmas around 19 December 2025 and return around 5 January 2026. However, the exact dates vary between schools. Academy schools and independent schools often have different dates from community schools in the same area.
When are the Easter holidays 2026?
Easter 2026 falls on 5 April. Most schools will break up for Easter around 1-2 April 2026 and return around 20 April 2026, giving approximately two weeks of holiday. Dates vary by school.
When is the summer holiday 2026?
Most UK schools finish for summer in mid-to-late July 2026 and the new academic year begins in early September 2026. This gives approximately 6 weeks of summer holiday, though exact dates vary by school.
Do all UK schools have the same term dates?
No. While schools maintained by the same local authority often share similar term dates, each school can set its own dates. Academy schools, free schools, and independent schools have more flexibility and may have different holidays from neighbouring schools. This is why TermTimes.uk tracks dates for each individual school.
What is an inset day (teacher training day)?
An inset day — sometimes called a teacher training day, PD day, or INSET day — is a day when the school is closed to pupils but teachers and staff attend for professional development. Schools in England typically have 5 inset days per academic year. Each school chooses when to place these days, often attached to half-terms or at the start of term.
How can I add school holidays to my Google Calendar?
TermTimes.uk makes this easy: (1) Search for your school, (2) Click on the school name, (3) Click the 'Add to Google Calendar' button, (4) Confirm in Google Calendar. The calendar automatically stays up to date — when dates change, your calendar updates too.
How many schools does TermTimes.uk cover?
TermTimes.uk covers over 25,000 schools across England, including primary schools, secondary schools, academies, free schools, voluntary-aided schools, and independent schools. Our data comes from the Department for Education's GIAS (Get Information About Schools) register.
How often are the holiday dates updated?
Holiday dates are refreshed weekly. We automatically check school websites and local authority publications for updates. If you subscribe to the Google Calendar feed, it will automatically reflect any changes.
Are these dates definitely accurate?
While we strive for accuracy by sourcing data from official school websites and local authority publications, we always recommend confirming dates directly with your school. Schools occasionally make changes that may not be immediately reflected on our site.
Can I track multiple schools?
Yes! With TermTimes Premium (£2.99/month), you can track up to 10 schools at once, get a combined calendar feed, and receive email reminders before each holiday. The free version lets you subscribe to one school at a time via Google Calendar.
Does TermTimes cover Scottish and Welsh schools?
Currently, TermTimes.uk covers schools in England. Scottish and Welsh schools follow different term date systems and are not yet included, but we plan to add them in the future.
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