When Is Half Term – UK Dates 2024/25 by Region

Half term breaks arrive at different times across the United Kingdom, with no single national date governing when schools close. Local authorities and individual schools set their own calendars, creating regional variations that can shift by several days depending on where you live.

For the 2024/25 academic year, most English local authorities schedule autumn half term during the final week of October, while institutions in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland follow distinct patterns. Understanding these schedules requires examining not just geography, but the specific governance structures that control school term holiday dates.

Parents planning travel or childcare should verify dates directly with their specific local council, as even neighbouring districts can diverge significantly. This guide breaks down confirmed dates, regional differences, and the structural reasons behind the variation.

When is half term in 2024/25?

• No uniform UK half term exists; England alone shows variations between Bristol (25 Oct) and Greenwich (28 Oct–1 Nov)
• Half terms typically span 5–6 days, though some authorities extend to 7 days
• Scotland’s academic year begins in August, offsetting term dates from other UK nations
• Academies and free schools operate outside local authority term dates
• Spring 2025 half term falls between 10–24 February depending on region
• Summer 2025 half term aligns closely with the Spring Bank Holiday
• Local councils publish definitive term dates on their official websites

^*Bristol observes 25 Oct 2024; Hull observes 20–25 Oct variations.
^**Scotland and Wales 2025/26 academic year dates shown for comparative context.

Half term dates by UK region

The United Kingdom operates four distinct education systems, each determining term dates independently. Government guidance directs parents to check council-level information, as no central authority mandates specific half term weeks.

England and local authority variations

English local authorities set term dates for maintained schools within their boundaries, creating hyperlocal variation. The Royal Borough of Greenwich schedules autumn half term from 28 October to 1 November 2024, while Bristol City Council opts for 25 October 2024 only. Hull City Council extends its autumn break from Friday 24 October to Monday 3 November 2025, spanning seven days inclusive.

Academies and free schools operate outside this framework. These institutions set independent term dates according to their own funding agreements, meaning two schools on the same street might close on different weeks.

Scotland’s academic calendar

Scottish schools begin their academic year in August rather than September, offsetting the entire calendar. For the 2025/26 academic year starting August 2025, autumn half term falls 13–17 October 2025, followed by spring half term 16–20 February 2026 and a brief summer half term on 4 May 2026.

Wales and Northern Ireland

Welsh local authorities coordinate term dates through regional consortia, though variations persist. The 2025/26 academic year shows autumn half term 27–31 October 2025, with spring half term 16–20 February 2026. Some authorities previously scheduled brief Halloween breaks on 30–31 October 2025.

Northern Ireland’s Education Authority sets dates that occasionally align more closely with the Republic of Ireland than with Great Britain. For 2024/25, the jurisdiction observes autumn mid-term on 18 October 2024, spring half term 10–14 February 2025, and summer half term from 2 June 2025 onwards.

What is half term?

Duration and structure

Half term represents a short holiday dividing each 13-week academic term, traditionally lasting between five and six days. Most local authorities schedule Monday-to-Friday closures, though some extend through Tuesday to accommodate weekend travel.

These breaks serve multiple functions: providing rest for students, allowing administrative days for teacher training (INSET), and enabling maintenance of school facilities. The specific timing ensures roughly equal term lengths before Christmas, Easter, and summer holidays.

Why dates differ between schools

Decentralised education governance creates the variation. England’s 150-plus local authorities each consult with unions, transport providers and religious groups before publishing term dates. Scotland’s 32 councils operate independently under devolved education law, while Wales and Northern Ireland maintain their own statutory frameworks.

Upcoming half term dates for 2025

The 2025/26 academic year brings refreshed calendars across all UK nations. England generally observes autumn half term 27–31 October 2025, though Hull schedules 24 October through 3 November and Windsor and Maidenhead maintain 27–31 October.

Scotland closes 13–17 October 2025 for autumn half term, while Wales observes 27–31 October 2025. Northern Ireland’s Halloween break falls 30–31 October 2025. Spring 2026 half terms cluster around mid-February, with Scottish schools closing 16–20 February and English authorities predominantly choosing the same week.

How does the school year timeline progress?

1. August 2025: Scotland begins academic year
2. Early September 2025: England, Wales and Northern Ireland start new term
3. Late October 2025: Autumn half term across all UK regions
4. December 2025 – January 2026: Christmas holiday period
5. Mid-February 2026: Spring half term
6. March/April 2026: Easter break (dates vary by region)
7. Late May 2026: Summer half term coinciding with Spring Bank Holiday
8. July – August 2026: Summer holidays begin

What is confirmed and what remains variable?

Why do half term patterns differ historically?

The United Kingdom’s education system evolved from localised Victorian school boards rather than national mandates. When education transferred to local authority control in the twentieth century, councils retained autonomy over scheduling to accommodate regional agricultural patterns, local festivals, and transport logistics.

Devolution in 1999 transferred education policy to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, amplifying divergence. Scotland’s August start dates reflect historical agricultural requirements, while Northern Ireland’s calendar occasionally accommodates Republic of Ireland bank holidays. This fragmentation ensures no two UK regions share identical term structures.

Official sources and verification

The Department for Education does not set term dates. GOV.UK directs parents to local council websites for maintained schools, while advising that academies publish their own calendars.

Local authorities and schools set their own dates. Schools and councils set their own calendars.

— GOV.UK School Term Dates

For school holidays in the UK, authoritative sources include individual local authority websites, the Education Authority for Northern Ireland, and specific school governing bodies for academies.

Key takeaways for parents

Planning requires checking your specific local authority’s calendar rather than assuming national dates. England maintains the most pronounced local variations, while Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland follow distinct academic year cycles. Always verify school term holiday dates with your council and confirm directly with academies or free schools, which operate outside local authority control.

Frequently asked questions