How many weeks in a school year: Canada VS UK

The number of days and breaks in the school year varies from country to country. While the UK and Canada are quite similar, there are also differences that Canadian teachers considering relocating to the UK should be aware of before making the move.

How many school days are there in Canada vs the UK?

The school year in the UK for most schools runs from early September to mid-July, whereas in Canada the year officially starts in September (after Labour Day) to the end of June (typically the last Friday of the month). The difference in dates allows for the longer summer break in Canada.

In the UK, the School Teachers Pay & Conditions statutory guidance states that teachers must be available for work for 195 days in a school year, of which 190 days must be days in which the teacher may be required to teach pupils and perform other duties. In comparison, Canadian schools typically have 190 school days in the year (180 in Quebec).

How many school holiday days are there in Canada vs the UK?

In Canada, there are 21 holiday days in the school year, including the Christmas break. If you include the 16-week summer holiday, the number of holiday days reaches 133.

The UK school year, in contrast, has 32 holiday days in the school year including the Christmas break and the half-term holidays. UK schools have a much shorter 6-week summer holiday break, bringing the total number of holiday days in the school year to 71.

Speak to Engage

To find out more about teaching in the UK, including school term dates, curriculum differences and qualifications, speak to one of our Toronto-based team of former teachers – all of whom have UK teaching experience. Register today and your personal Toronto-based Engage consultant will get in touch as soon as possible to discuss your goals and set up your individual career plan.

If you want to teach in the UK,  view our latest roles or look into our sponsorship options!