School calendars in the UK are split into three terms, with most schools having breaks in the middle of each term, meaning that children generally get six breaks per school year. This blog covers the different school holiday periods across the UK and where you can find the exact dates for your child’s school.
- School holidays in the UK
- School holidays in England
- School holidays in Wales
- School holidays in Scotland
- School holidays in Northern Ireland
- Additional holidays and days off
School holidays in the UK
School holiday dates differ between UK countries and between regional local authorities (also known as local councils).
Generally speaking, UK school calendars are split into three terms with half-term breaks in the middle, meaning children in the UK will get six breaks per school year.
School holidays in England
English schools have three terms, Autumn, Spring and Summer. Each term is split into two with a half-term holiday in between. School term and holiday dates may differ by the local authority, but the majority of schools will follow this pattern:
Autumn term (1) – 1 September to 21 October
October half-term – 22 October to 30 October
Autumn term (2) – 31 October to 16 December
Christmas and New Year holidays – 17 December to 2 January, 2023
Spring term (1) – 3 January to 10 February
February half-term – 11 February to 19 February
Spring term (2) – 20 February to 31 March
Easter holidays – 1 April to 16 April
Summer term (1) – 17 April to 26 May
Summer half-term – 27 May to 4 June
Summer term (2) – 5 June to 21 July
Summer holidays – 22 July to 3 September
School holidays in Wales
Wales follows the same school holiday pattern as England, with dates also possibly differing by each local authority.
School holidays in Scotland
The Scottish school year starts much earlier than it does for England and Wales, with it usually beginning in the second or third week of August. It also ends much earlier (around the end of June). School term and holiday dates in Scotland usually follow this pattern:
Autumn term (1) – 17 August – 7 October
Autumn mid-term break – 10 October to 17 October
Autumn term (2) – 18 October – 22 December
St Andrews Day – 28 November
Christmas and New Year holidays – 23 December to 6 January
Winter term (1) – 9 January – 10 February
Winter mid-term break – 13 February – 20 February
Winter term (2) – 21 February – 31 March
Easter holidays – 1 April to 14 April
Summer term – 17 April – 29 June
May Day – 1 May
Summer holidays – 30 June to 16 August
School holidays in Northern Ireland
Autumn term (1) – 1 September – 28 October
Halloween break – 31 October and 1 November
Autumn term (2) – 2 November – 21 December
Christmas and New Year break – 22 December – 3 January
Spring term (1) – 4 January – 15 February
Mid term break – 16 and 17 November
Spring term (2) – 20 February – 5 April
St Patricks Day – 17 March
Easter break – 6 April – 14 April
Summer term – 17 April – 30 June
May Day – 1 May
Spring bank holiday – 29 May
Additional holidays and days off
Each school may have additional days off during public holidays, or for staff training or pupil book days. You can find information about the additional days off in your child’s school on either the school’s website or the local council’s website.
