When Do Schools Break Up in 2026–2027?

A quick overview of school break-up dates across the UK for 2026–2027. For your exact council's dates, browse by nation below.

Dates vary significantly by council. The table below shows representative dates only. Always find your council for exact dates.

UK School Break-Up Dates for 2026–2027

The tables below show representative break-up and return dates for each school holiday period in 2026–2027 across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Dates are based on representative councils and vary between local authorities — select your council for exact dates.

Autumn half term 2026–2027

The table below shows when schools break up and return for autumn half term in 2026–2027 across the UK.

Nation / Area Break up Return
England (most councils) Monday, 26 October 2026 Friday, 30 October 2026
Wales Monday, 26 October 2026 Friday, 30 October 2026
Scotland (Edinburgh) Monday, 12 October 2026 Monday, 19 October 2026
Northern Ireland Thursday, 29 October 2026 Friday, 30 October 2026

Christmas 2026–2027

The table below shows when schools break up and return for christmas in 2026–2027 across the UK.

Nation / Area Break up Return
England (most councils) Monday, 21 December 2026 Monday, 4 January 2027
Wales Saturday, 19 December 2026 Monday, 4 January 2027
Scotland (Edinburgh) Saturday, 19 December 2026 Wednesday, 6 January 2027
Northern Ireland Monday, 21 December 2026 Saturday, 2 January 2027

Spring half term 2026–2027

The table below shows when schools break up and return for spring half term in 2026–2027 across the UK.

Nation / Area Break up Return
England (most councils) Monday, 15 February 2027 Friday, 19 February 2027
Wales Monday, 8 February 2027 Friday, 12 February 2027
Scotland (Edinburgh) Friday, 12 February 2027 Friday, 19 February 2027
Northern Ireland Thursday, 11 February 2027 Friday, 12 February 2027

Easter 2026–2027

The table below shows when schools break up and return for easter in 2026–2027 across the UK.

Nation / Area Break up Return
England (most councils) Friday, 26 March 2027 Monday, 12 April 2027
Wales Saturday, 20 March 2027 Monday, 5 April 2027
Scotland (Edinburgh) Monday, 5 April 2027 Tuesday, 20 April 2027
Northern Ireland Thursday, 25 March 2027 Saturday, 3 April 2027

Summer half term 2026–2027

The table below shows when schools break up and return for summer half term in 2026–2027 across the UK.

Nation / Area Break up Return
England (most councils) Monday, 31 May 2027 Friday, 4 June 2027
Wales Monday, 31 May 2027 Friday, 4 June 2027
Scotland (Edinburgh) Monday, 24 May 2027 Monday, 24 May 2027
Northern Ireland Monday, 31 May 2027 Monday, 31 May 2027

Summer holiday 2026–2027

The table below shows when schools break up and return for summer holiday in 2026–2027 across the UK.

Nation / Area Break up Return
England (most councils) Friday, 4 June 2027 Wednesday, 21 July 2027
Wales Friday, 4 June 2027 Tuesday, 20 July 2027
Scotland (Edinburgh) Monday, 24 May 2027 Tuesday, 29 June 2027
Northern Ireland Monday, 31 May 2027 Wednesday, 30 June 2027

Find Your Exact Council Dates for 2026–2027

The dates above are representative only. Select your nation below to find the exact break-up and return dates for your specific council or local authority.

England
152 councils
Wales
22 councils
Scotland
32 councils
Northern Ireland
5 education authorities

Frequently Asked Questions About School Break-Up Dates 2026–2027

Most schools in England break up for autumn half term on Friday, 23 October 2026. Schools return on Monday, 21 December 2026. Dates vary between councils — check your local authority for exact dates.
Most schools in England break up for Christmas on Friday, 18 December 2026. Schools return on Monday, 4 January 2027. Dates vary between councils.
Most schools in England break up for Easter on Thursday, 25 March 2027. Schools return on Monday, 12 April 2027. Dates vary between councils.
Most schools in England break up for summer on Wednesday, 21 July 2027. Scottish schools typically finish in late June. Dates vary between councils.
Schools in Scotland typically break up for summer in late June 2026–2027 — earlier than England and Wales. Check your specific Scottish council for exact dates.
No. School break-up dates vary across the UK. In England, each of the 152 local authorities sets its own term dates. Wales has broadly standard dates. Scotland has a different school calendar and breaks up earlier. Northern Ireland has centrally set dates but with shorter half-term breaks than England.
Always confirm with your council. Dates shown are based on representative councils for 2026–2027. Exact dates vary between local authorities. Academies and free schools may also set different dates.