UK School Term Dates 2025/26

How Are School Term Dates Set in the UK?

In England, local authorities set term dates for community and voluntary-controlled schools. Academies and free schools have the freedom to set their own term dates, although most follow the local authority pattern to avoid confusion for families with children in different schools.

In Scotland, each local authority publishes its own dates, and the academic year typically starts in mid-August, several weeks earlier than England. The summer holiday also finishes earlier, usually at the end of June. Wales follows a similar pattern to England but with slight regional variations, while Northern Ireland schools tend to finish the summer term at the end of June.

What Are INSET Days?

INSET (In-Service Training) days are days when schools are closed to pupils but open for staff training. Schools in England and Wales have five INSET days per year. These are set by individual schools, not local authorities, which is why neighbouring schools sometimes have different days off. INSET days are not included in the dates above, so always check your specific school's calendar.

Can I Take My Child Out of School During Term Time?

In England, head teachers may only grant leave of absence in exceptional circumstances. Unauthorised absence can result in a penalty notice of \u00a380 per parent, per child (rising to \u00a3160 if not paid within 21 days). Despite this, an estimated 7.5 million school days are lost each year to term-time holidays. Holiday prices can be 40\u201360% cheaper outside school holidays, which is why many parents take the risk.