8th November 2018
The structure of UK school terms is similar to that in the US and Canada, but markedly different to the holiday dates in Australia and New Zealand, in which the academic year begins in January following a long Christmas break.
In the UK the first school term begins in September and the academic year concludes in mid-July.
The dates of UK bank holidays differ between countries.
Bank holidays in England and Wales include:
Bank holidays in Scotland include:
Bank holidays in Northern Ireland include:
In the UK the teaching profession is renowned for the generous holiday allowance that its staff receive – and for many, this is a major incentive to work as a teacher.
Due to the fact that the UK school year is divided into three terms of 13 weeks, with a holiday following each and a half term break in the middle, teachers work for no more than six weeks without getting a break of at least a week.
Although teachers spend much of their holiday time working, completing activities such as marking, lesson planning for the following term and even running clubs or revision sessions during the holidays, it’s advisable to take some time to relax to avoid burnout.
This is especially true of the UK summer holiday, which lasts at least six weeks in state schools and more in private schools. It’s the perfect time to relax and recuperate in preparation for the start of the new academic year.
To make the most of your break, lay your bag of marking to one side and switch off from your life in education. Socialise with your non-teacher friends to ensure that you’re feeling ready and refreshed for the start of the next term.
With a work week of more than 60 hours, teachers must make the most of their time to wind down. Learning to distance yourself from your role when appropriate will make you a more effective teacher in the long run.
When you register with Engage, we’ll work with you to ensure your teaching route to the UK gives you all the necessary experience and qualifications to meet your goals and ambitions – wherever they take you next!
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