England School Holidays 2026
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Find the complete England school holidays 2026-2027 calendar right here. This page lists all term dates, half-term breaks, Christmas holidays, Easter holidays, and the summer break for England in 2026. With 6 terms and 6 school breaks, our England school term dates are verified directly from UK local councils (via GOV.UK). Whether you're planning a family holiday during the half-term break or need to know when the 2026 summer holidays start, you'll find all the dates you need below.
Officially published, but dates may vary by sub-region or individual school. Confirm with your local school. Last verified: Sep 6, 2026.
Christmas Holidays
Dec 21 – Jan 3, 2027
England Term Dates 2026/27
| Name | Start Date | End Date | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term 1 | 53 | — | ||
| Autumn Term 2 | 47 | — | ||
| Spring Term 1 | 40 | — | ||
| Spring Term 2 | 32 | — | ||
| Summer Term 1 | 47 | — | ||
| Summer Term 2 | 45 | — |
England School Holidays in school year 2026/27
| Break | Dates | Days |
|---|---|---|
| October Half Term | Oct 26 – Oct 30, 2026 | 5 |
| Christmas Holidays | Dec 21 – Jan 3, 2027 | 14 |
| February Half Term | Feb 15 – Feb 19, 2027 | 5 |
| Easter Holidays | Mar 26 – Apr 9, 2027 | 15 |
| May Half Term | May 31 – Jun 4, 2027 | 5 |
| Summer Holidays | Jul 22 – Aug 31, 2027 | 41 |
England Public Holidays 2026
| Name | Start Date | End Date | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas Day | 1 | — | ||
| Boxing Day | 1 | — | ||
| Boxing Day (Observed) | 1 | Observed as Boxing Day falls on a Saturday. | ||
| New Year's Day | 1 | — | ||
| Good Friday | 1 | — | ||
| Easter Monday | 1 | — | ||
| Early May Bank Holiday | 1 | — | ||
| Spring Bank Holiday | 1 | — | ||
| Summer Bank Holiday | 1 | England, Wales, Northern Ireland. |
England School 2026 Calendar — Month by Month
January 2026
February 2026
March 2026
April 2026
May 2026
June 2026
July 2026
August 2026
September 2026
October 2026
November 2026
December 2026
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Data last verified Sep 6, 2026. Dates come from the official source listed above — always confirm with your school or education authority before making important plans.
Detailed 2026 England School Year Information
Autumn Term 1
Tue, Sep 1, 2026 – Fri, Oct 23, 2026
Autumn Term 2
Mon, Nov 2, 2026 – Fri, Dec 18, 2026
Spring Term 1
Mon, Jan 4, 2027 – Fri, Feb 12, 2027
Spring Term 2
Mon, Feb 22, 2027 – Thu, Mar 25, 2027
Summer Term 1
Mon, Apr 12, 2027 – Fri, May 28, 2027
Summer Term 2
Mon, Jun 7, 2027 – Wed, Jul 21, 2027
England School Holidays 2026/27 — Key Dates
These England school holiday dates for 2026 are sourced directly from UK local councils (via GOV.UK). UK school term dates are set by local councils, so dates vary by area. The dates below represent the most common schedule across England for the 2026-2027 academic year. Always check with your local council for exact dates. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different school calendars.
Planning Tips for 2026 England School Holidays
🏛️ Term dates are set by your local council
England has no national school calendar — each of the ~150 local councils sets term dates, and academies and faith schools can set their own. Neighbouring boroughs can differ by a week, so check your own council before booking.
📏 Five INSET days are hidden inside term time
Every school schedules five staff training days when pupils do not attend, often attached to the start of terms. Your child may return a day or two after the "official" term start — check the school newsletter.
✈️ Taking holidays during term time is fined in England
Since August 2024, unauthorised term-time absence of 5+ days is fined per parent per child by most councils. The October, February and May half terms plus the 6-week summer are the realistic family-travel windows.
📅 October half term is the most consistent
The late-October half term falls in the same week for almost every English council; February half term can move by a week between neighbouring areas, and Easter dates shift the spring break each year.
Data & source details Who this calendar applies to, where it came from, and when we will check it again
- Applies to
- Government-funded schools in England following the most common local-authority pattern. Use this as a planning baseline, then confirm with your own council.
- Does not apply to
- Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (separate calendars on this site); academy trusts, free schools, Catholic and independent schools that set their own dates; individual schools that adjust INSET days.
- Governance level
- Local council
- Date status
- Advisory — schools may vary
- Source document
- School term and holiday dates (GOV.UK council directory)
- Published by the authority
- UK local councils (via GOV.UK)
- Last checked by us
- Sep 6, 2026
- Next scheduled review
- Jan 15, 2027
- Known exceptions
- Dates are set per local council and vary across England by up to a week. · Five INSET (staff training) days per year are set by each school and are not included. · Academies and free schools are not bound by council term dates.
- Data version
- v2
Source & Data Accuracy
Data source: UK local councils (via GOV.UK)
Source last checked: September 6, 2026
Officially published, but dates may vary by sub-region or individual school. Confirm with your local school. Last verified: Sep 6, 2026.
Note: UK school term dates are set by local councils, so dates vary by area. The dates below represent the most common schedule across England for the 2026-2027 academic year. Always check with your local council for exact dates. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different school calendars.
Report a date error or source changeEngland School Holidays 2026 — Frequently Asked Questions
What are the UK school holidays for 2026-2027?
UK school holidays for the 2026-2027 academic year include October Half Term (October 26-30, 2026), Christmas Holidays (December 21, 2026 – January 3, 2027), February Half Term (February 15-19, 2027), Easter Holidays (March 26 – April 9, 2027), May Half Term (May 31 – June 4, 2027), and Summer Holidays (July 22 – August 31, 2027).
When does the 2026-2027 school year start in the UK?
The 2026-2027 academic year in the UK starts on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, with Autumn Term 1. The school year ends on Wednesday, July 21, 2027.
How long is the summer holiday in the UK?
The UK summer holiday is approximately 6 weeks long, typically from late July to late August or early September. For 2027, summer holidays run from July 22 to August 31, 2027.
Do UK school holidays vary by council?
Yes. In the UK, school term and holiday dates are set by local councils, so dates can vary between neighbouring areas. Always check with your local council or school for exact dates.
What is half term in the UK?
Half term is a one-week break in the middle of each school term. There are typically three half-term breaks per academic year: in October, February, and May.
Do Scotland and Northern Ireland have different school holidays?
Yes. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different school calendars from England and Wales. Scotland's summer holiday typically starts earlier (late June) and ends in mid-August. Northern Ireland has similar but not identical dates to England.
How many school holidays are there in 2026?
Most school systems have 4-6 major holiday periods throughout the year, typically including a long summer break, a winter/Christmas break, and shorter mid-term breaks in spring and autumn. The exact number depends on your country and region.
What is the longest school holiday?
The summer holiday is typically the longest school break worldwide. In Australia, it lasts about 5-6 weeks (December-January). In the UK, the summer break is approximately 6 weeks (July-August). In the US, summer break is the longest at 10-12 weeks (June-August). In Singapore, the year-end holidays last about 6 weeks.
Are school holidays the same across all states or regions?
No. School holiday dates vary by state, region, and sometimes even by individual school district or local council. While neighbouring areas often have similar schedules, you should always check the specific dates for your local area.
Can I take my child out of school during term time?
Rules vary by country. In the UK, taking children out of school during term time without authorization can result in fines. In Australia, it is generally discouraged but policies vary by state. In the US, policies are set by individual school districts. Always check with your school before planning term-time absences.
Do private schools have different holiday dates?
Yes, private and independent schools often set their own term dates, which may differ from government/public schools. However, most private schools follow similar schedules to nearby public schools, with minor variations. Check directly with your school for exact dates.
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