What are the dates of the school holidays for 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 in the United Kingdom?

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 :

advertisement

  • 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, check out the 2024 and 2025 bank holiday calendars for the UK 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.

2024-2025State schools in the UK
Back to schoolMonday, September 2, 2024
Half termFrom Monday, October 28, 2024
to Friday, November 1, 2024
Christmas holidayFrom Monday, December 23, 2024
to Friday, January 3, 2025
Half termFrom Monday, February 17, 2025
to Friday, February 21, 2025
Easter holidayFrom Monday, April 7, 2025
to Monday, April 21, 2025
Half termFrom Monday, May 26, 2025
to Friday, May 30, 2025
Summer holidayWednesday, 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.

2023-2024State schools in the UK
Back to schoolMonday, September 4, 2023
Half termFrom Monday, October 23, 2023
to Friday, October 27, 2023
Christmas holidayFrom Friday, December 22, 2023
to Friday, January 5, 2024
Half termFrom Monday, February 12, 2024
to Friday, February 16, 2024
Easter holidayFrom Friday, March 29, 2024
to Friday, April 12, 2024
Half termFrom Monday, May 27, 2024
to Friday, May 31, 2024
Summer holidayThursday, July 25, 2024

Official sources