What are the dates of the school holidays for 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 in the United Kingdom?
In the UK, the academic year begins in September and ends in the 3rd week of July, providing students with 5 weeks of summer holidays. This unique structuring of the British academic calendar, divided into three terms, with 2 weeks of holidays between each, and into half-terms of about 6 weeks, with a week's holiday in between, offers a regular rhythm to the students :
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- Back to school: students and teachers resume classes after the summer holidays, marking the start of the academic year.
- Half term: a one-week break allowing students to rest after the first weeks of the school year.
- Christmas holiday: these 2 weeks of vacation allow celebrating Christmas and New Year with family.
- Half term: a short winter interlude for a break after the festivities and the start of the year.
- Easter holiday: coinciding with the Easter festivities, these 2 weeks provide a prime time for spring activities.
- Half term: this period marks a one-week break towards the end of spring, offering students and teachers a moment to recharge before the final stretch of the school year.
- Summer holiday: the school year ends and students begin their 6-week summer vacation, an ideal period for family activities, travel, or rest before the next academic year.
School days in the UK are shorter (usually from 8 am to 3:30 pm) than those of most European schoolchildren, which may explain why the total number of vacation days is lower.
This article gives you an overview of the school holiday dates for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 years.
English public schools: school holiday calendar
The dates of school holidays can vary depending on the region of the UK - England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland - each having its own academic calendar. You can find the exact dates of your child's school holidays on your council's website.
Also discover the 2024 and 2025 holiday calendars in the United Kingdom in our dedicated article.
School year 2024-2025
In the UK, the back to school 2024 in public schools will take place on Monday, September 2, 2024.
| 2024-2025 | State schools in the UK |
|---|---|
| Back to school | Monday, September 2, 2024 |
| Half term | From Monday, October 28, 2024 to Friday, November 1, 2024 |
| Christmas holiday | From Monday, December 23, 2024 to Friday, January 3, 2025 |
| Half term | From Monday, February 17, 2025 to Friday, February 21, 2025 |
| Easter holiday | From Monday, April 7, 2025 to Monday, April 21, 2025 |
| Half term | From Monday, May 26, 2025 to Friday, May 30, 2025 |
| Summer holiday | Wednesday, July 23, 2025 |
School year 2023-2024
In the UK, the back to school 2023 in public schools will take place on Monday, September 4, 2023.
| 2023-2024 | State schools in the UK |
|---|---|
| Back to school | Monday, September 4, 2023 |
| Half term | From Monday, October 23, 2023 to Friday, October 27, 2023 |
| Christmas holiday | From Friday, December 22, 2023 to Friday, January 5, 2024 |
| Half term | From Monday, February 12, 2024 to Friday, February 16, 2024 |
| Easter holiday | From Friday, March 29, 2024 to Friday, April 12, 2024 |
| Half term | From Monday, May 27, 2024 to Friday, May 31, 2024 |
| Summer holiday | Thursday, July 25, 2024 |