School term and holiday dates

These are the recommended school terms and holiday dates for nursery, primary and secondary schools. Non-community schools have the autonomy to determine their own term dates.

The School Admissions Team will continue to consult on and determine recommended dates, as outlined below, but schools are now able to vary these dates as they see fit. You are advised to contact your child’s school directly to confirm their term dates.

Determined school term and holiday dates 2025 to 2026

Autumn term

Monday 1 September to Friday 24 October 2025 (40 days)

• School holiday: Monday 27 October to Friday 31 October

Monday 3 November to Friday 19 December 2025 (35 days)

• School holiday: Monday 22 December to Friday 2 January

Spring term

Monday 5 January to Friday 13 February 2026 (30 days)

• School holiday: Monday 16 February to Friday 20 February

Monday 23 February to Friday 27 March 2026 (25 days)

• School holiday: Monday 30 March to Friday 10 April
  (Easter weekend 3 April to 6 April)

Summer term

Monday 13 April to Friday 22 May 2026 (29 days)

• May Day Bank Holiday will be 4 May
• School holiday: Monday 25 May to Friday 29 May
  (Spring Bank Holiday will be 25 May)

Monday 1 June to Monday 20 July 2026(36 days)

Public holidays

• Christmas Day: Thursday 25 December 2025
• Boxing Day: Friday 26 December 2025
• New Year’s Day: Thursday 1 January 2026
• Good Friday: Friday 3 April 2026
• Easter Monday: Monday 6 April 2026
• May Day Bank Holiday: Monday 4 May 2026
• Spring Bank Holiday: Monday 25 May 2026
• August Bank Holiday: Monday 31 August 2026

Determined school term and holiday dates 2026 to 2027

Autumn term

Wednesday 2 September to Friday 23 October 2026 (38 days)

• School holiday: Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October

Monday 2 November to Friday 18 December 2026 (35 days)

• School holiday: Monday 21 December to Friday 1 January

Spring term

Monday 4 January to Friday 12 February 2027 (30 days)

• School holiday: Monday 15 February to Friday 19 February

Monday 22 February to Friday 25 March 2027 (24 days)

• School holiday: Friday 26 March to Friday 9 April
  (Easter weekend 26 March to 29 March)

Summer term

Monday 12 April to Friday 28 May 2027 (34 days)

• May Day Bank Holiday will be 3 May
• School holiday: Monday 31 May to Friday 4 June
  (Spring Bank Holiday will be 31 May)

Monday 7 June to Thursday 22 July 2027 (34 days)

Public holidays

• Christmas Day: Friday 25 December 2026
• Boxing Day: Monday 28 December 2026
• New Year’s Day: Friday 1 January 2027
• Good Friday: Friday 26 March 2027
• Easter Monday: Monday 29 March 2027
• May Day Bank Holiday: Monday 3 May 2027
• Spring Bank Holiday: Monday 31 May 2027
• August Bank Holiday: Monday 30 August 2027

The dates show schools being open for 195 days. From these, five staff training dates are to be determined by the school’s governing body. Some governing bodies may choose to hold staff training at ‘twilight sessions’ after the school day and to extend the school holiday for staff.

Schools which close for local elections are required to extend the summer term or coincide it with an 'inset' day.

We are suggesting a common transition day for Year 6 pupils to visit the secondary school that they will be attending, which is the first Wednesday in July. Schools are not bound by these suggested dates, though we would anticipate that using the recommended common transition day would have logistical advantages for both primary and secondary schools.

For pupils starting secondary school:

• September 2026 – Wednesday 1 July 2026
• September 2027 – Wednesday 7 July 2027