Term dates and holidays
Quieter holiday weeks for your family
School holidays don't start on the same day everywhere. See how your children's holidays line up with the rest of England, and which of your own holiday weeks fewer other families are off.
Your schools
Loading your schools.
Percentages are the share of England's state-school pupils on holiday on an average weekday that week. A lower figure means fewer families are off at the same time, so places can be less busy. Prices are set by each company, so compare before you book.
This only uses your school's own holidays. Taking a child out of school in term time needs the head teacher's permission, which is only given in exceptional circumstances, and can lead to a fine. School attendance and absence on GOV.UK.
When most councils break up, 2026/27
| Holiday | First weekday off for most councils | Councils |
|---|---|---|
| October half term | Mon 26 Oct 2026 | 106 of 114 |
| Christmas holidays | Mon 21 Dec 2026 | 114 of 114 |
| February half term | Mon 15 Feb 2027 | 110 of 114 |
| Easter holidays | Fri 26 Mar 2027 | 105 of 114 |
| May half term | Mon 31 May 2027 | 114 of 114 |
| Summer holidays | Thu 22 Jul 2027 | 61 of 114 |
The split weeks
In these weeks only part of England is on holiday, so they're quieter than the main holiday weeks. They only help if they're your school's holiday too.
| Week starting | Share of England off |
|---|---|
| Mon 22 Mar 2027 | 4% |
| Mon 12 Apr 2027 | 5% |
| Mon 19 Jul 2027 | 30% |
From the holiday demand index: 114 councils' published term dates, weighted by the number of state-school pupils in each (Department for Education register). Academies and independent schools can set their own dates, so real figures can differ by a few points. Bank holidays and INSET days are left out.
My family · Holiday cover planner · Every council's holidays