6th January 2025

UK school holidays and school days explained

If you’re considering relocating to the UK or simply want to understand how the school system works, this brief guide will give you an overview of the school calendar and the typical school day structure.

School holidays in the UK

The UK school year runs from early September to mid-to-late July and is split into three main terms: Autumn, Spring and Summer.

Each term includes a break in the middle and a longer holiday at the end. While dates can vary slightly between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the general pattern is as follows:

• Autumn Half Term: 1 week in late October
• Christmas Holidays: 2 weeks from mid-to-late December to early January
• Spring Half Term: 1 week in mid-February
• Easter Holidays: 2 weeks in late March or early April
• Summer Half Term: 1 week in late May or early June
• Summer Holidays: 6 weeks from late July to early September
  

In total, children attend school for about 190 days per year. Most state schools follow a similar calendar, but independent (private) schools may have slightly different schedules.

Bank holidays 

In addition to term dates and school holidays, schools in the UK are also affected by national bank holidays. These are public holidays when schools are typically closed, unless stated otherwise by the local authority or school.

Common UK bank holidays include:

• New Year’s Day
• Good Friday
• Easter Monday
• Early May bank holiday
• Spring bank holiday
• Summer bank holiday
• Christmas Day
• Boxing Day

If a bank holiday falls during term time, schools will usually close for that day. When a bank holiday falls during an existing school holiday, there is no additional time off.

It’s important to note that bank holidays can vary slightly between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and individual schools or councils may occasionally make local adjustments.

INSET days

School staff are required to attend school a minimum of 195 days per year.  The additional 5 days are sometimes referred to as ‘Inservice Days’, INSET Days or Training Days. During these days, staff are required to attend training, workshops, and other professional development activities to support their roles. These days often occur at the end or beginning of terms to get you prepared for the next term.

A typical school day

The school day usually begins between 8:30 and 9:00 am and ends around 3:00 to 3:30 pm. It is structured, as below, to include both learning and breaks:

• Morning session: Starts after registration and includes the first set of lessons
  
• Morning break: Around 15 minutes for a snack and outdoor time
  
• Late morning lessons: Continue until lunch
  
• Lunch break: About 1 hour for eating and free time
  
• Afternoon session: Runs from early afternoon until the school day ends

In primary schools (ages 4-11), the day is generally more flexible and often includes group activities, reading and play. In secondary schools (ages 11-16 or 18), the day is more structured, with subjects taught in separate periods.

Exact term dates and daily schedules can vary by region and school, Engage will always let you know the school’s terms and work hours in your booking confirmation.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your relocation journey, we’re here to help make the transition smooth and stress-free.

Register with us today and let our expert consultants support you every step of the way!