England school holidays 2026 and 2027
Most English schools break for October half-term from 26 to 30 October 2026. English term dates are set locally, not nationally. 152 councils plus thousands of academy trusts each pick their own, so a school in Birmingham can be off while one 20 miles away in Coventry is still in lessons.
October half-term 2026
Quietest week 21–27 Oct 2026 37%Busiest week 24–30 Oct 2026 82%
45 points separate the quietest week of October half-term from the busiest. Picking the week matters more than picking the destination.
Every state school sets its own training days, usually five a year. One on 23 Oct 2026, the last school day before the October half-term break, runs it to ten days: 23 Oct – 1 Nov 2026. It also moves your outbound journey a day ahead of everyone else's, which is where the fare saving is. Ask your school for its INSET dates as soon as they are published.
How England's dates compare across the UK
Each period rated against Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. All aligned = all four nations off together — peak demand. Staggered or Divergent = dates offset, quieter windows possible.
Upcoming school holiday dates in England ✓ Verified
- October half-term
- Christmas
- February half-term
- Easter
- May half-term
- Summer holidays
These are the dates most English councils share. Your specific school may differ by a day or two, particularly if it's an academy or free school.
Why English dates vary so much
Three types of school each have different freedoms when setting term dates:
- Community and voluntary-controlled schools follow the local council calendar, published a year or two ahead.
- Academies and free schools set their own. Most align loosely with the council to avoid confusing parents, but they aren't required to. Around half of England's secondary schools are academies.
- Independent schools set their own dates entirely. Their summer break is typically a week longer and starts earlier in July.
In practice, "English school holidays" is a pattern, not a fixed schedule. Most schools take the same week off, but start and end dates can shift two or three days either side. Always check with your school before booking.
INSET days
Every state school in England sets its own INSET (in-service training) days, usually five a year. Pupils stay home; staff work. Because each school picks its own, there is no national list — a sample of 401 English schools found 113 different dates in 2026/27.
Where the day falls decides what it is worth. On the last school day before a break it starts that break early, so you travel ahead of the rest of the country and pay less for it. Mid-term it buys a quiet day out at term-time prices. Inside a school holiday it buys nothing. Check how rare your school’s INSET day is →
Term-time holiday fines in England
Taking children out of school during term without permission triggers a Penalty Notice. Current rates:
- £80 per parent per child if paid within 21 days
- £160 per parent per child if paid between days 22 and 28
- A second offence within three years is a flat £160, no reduced rate
- A third offence within three years can go to the Magistrates' Court, where fines rise to £2,500 per parent per child
Penalty Notices are issued for unauthorised absences of five or more consecutive days. Headteachers can only authorise term-time absence in "exceptional circumstances", and family holidays don't count.
Quieter weeks if you're tied to English term dates
The quietest weeks in each holiday follow a consistent pattern, year on year, in date order:
- October half-term: Scotland breaks up a week or two earlier, so popular destinations are quieter the week immediately after Scottish pupils return.
- Christmas: the first day of the break and the day before children return are usually noticeably cheaper than the week between Christmas and New Year.
- Easter: the week before Easter weekend is quieter than the week after.
- Summer: mid-July beats late August. Scotland is back in school by 19 August, so a chunk of UK domestic demand has already gone.
Penalty Notice amounts and procedures reflect the National Framework that came into effect August 2024 and may be updated. Always check your local authority's current attendance policy.
Common questions
Are English school holiday dates set nationally?
No. Term dates in England are set by 152 local authorities and individual academy trusts, so dates can vary by a few days between neighbouring schools. Always check your specific school.
How much is the term-time holiday fine in England?
£80 per parent per child if paid within 21 days, rising to £160 if paid between days 22 and 28. A second offence in three years is a flat £160. A third can go to the Magistrates' Court, where fines reach £2,500.
How many INSET days do English schools have?
Five in a normal year, and some schools take six. Each school picks its own dates, so there is no national list: a sample of 401 English schools found 113 different dates in 2026/27. A staff training day on 23 Oct 2026 would run the October half-term break to ten days off, 23 Oct – 1 Nov 2026.