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International• 3 Min read

14th March 2023

UK school terms: When Does School Start & How Long Does It Last? Engage Education |

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.

UK school terms: 2022-2023 term dates

Autumn term

  • The term begins on  Thursday 1st September 2022 and ends on Friday 16th December 2022
  • The half term holiday runs from Monday 24th October to Friday 28th October
  • The Christmas holiday runs from Monday 19th December 2022 to Monday 2nd January 2023

Spring term

  • The term begins on Monday 2nd January 2023 and ends on Friday 14th April 2023
  • The half term holiday runs from Monday 13th February 2023 to Friday 17th February 2023
  • The Easter holiday runs from Monday 3rd April 2023 to Friday 14th April 2023

Summer term

  • The term begins on Monday 17th April 2023 and ends on Friday 21st July 2023
  • The half term holiday runs from Monday 29th May 2023 to Friday 2nd June 2023
  • The summer holiday runs from Monday 24th July 2023 until Friday 1st September 2023

UK school terms: bank holidays 2022-2023

The dates of UK bank holidays differ between countries.

Bank holidays in England and Wales include:

  • Christmas Day (Sunday 25th December 2022 – holiday Tuesday 27th December)
  • Boxing Day (Monday 26th December 2022)
  • New Year’s Day (Sunday 1st January 2023 – holiday Monday 2 January)
  • Good Friday (Friday 7th April 2023)
  • Easter Monday (Monday 10th April 2023)
  • May Day (Monday 1st May 2023)
  • King’s Coronation (Monday 8th May 2023)
  • Spring Bank Holiday (Monday 29th May 2023)
  • August Bank Holiday (Monday 28th August 2023)

Bank holidays in Scotland include:

  • St Andrew’s Day (Wednesday 30th November 2023)
  • Christmas Day (Sunday 25th December 2022 – holiday Tuesday 27th December)
  • Boxing Day (Monday 26th December 2023)
  • New Year’s Day (Sunday 1st January 2023 – holiday Monday 2 January)
  • Good Friday (Friday 7th April 2023)
  • May Day (Monday 1st May 2023)
  • King’s Coronation (Monday 8th May 2023)
  • Spring Bank Holiday (Monday 29th May 2023)
  • August Bank Holiday (Monday 28th August 2023)

Bank holidays in Northern Ireland include:

  • Christmas Day (Sunday 25th December 2022 – holiday Tuesday 27th December)
  • Boxing Day (Monday 26th December 2022)
  • New Year’s Day (Sunday 1st January 2023 – holiday Monday 2 January)
  • St Patrick’s Day (Friday 17th March 2023)
  • Good Friday (Friday 7th April 2023)
  • Easter Monday (Monday 10th April 2023)
  • May Day (Monday 1st May 2023)
  • King’s Coronation (Monday 8th May 2023)
  • Spring Bank Holiday (Monday 29th May 2023)
  • Orangemen’s Day (Wednesday 12th July 2023)
  • August Bank Holiday (Monday 28th August 2023)

UK school terms: how to make the most of your holiday

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.

For more information about what you need to know in order to teach in London and the wider UK, please contact us today.

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