When do kids go back to school in 2026? UK school dates

• Many schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland return at the beginning of September 2026

• Scottish schools return earlier, with dates varying between local councils

• Inset days and individual school calendars can change your child’s first day back

Whether your child is starting preschool or reception this year or returning for another year, it’s worth checking the school calendar before you make plans.

School dates aren’t the same across the UK. Scotland generally returns in August, while most schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland go back around the beginning of September. Dates can also vary between councils and individual schools, particularly where inset or staff training days are concerned.

Knowing the holiday dates can be helpful for forward-planning family trips, figuring out when to take time off work and making sure your kids have an easy time adjusting to different routines.

In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know. We'll explore how the education system works in the UK, highlight the differences across different parts of the country, and also share the details on terms and holidays coming up for the next academic year.

These are particularly handy to know in advance so you can take advantage of the school uniform sales ahead of time.

UK school year - when does it start and end?

In the UK, the school year usually begins in September and wraps up in July.

An academic year is split into three parts: autumn, spring and summer terms. Each of these have specific dates for when they start and end, along with breaks for holidays. However, it's worth mentioning that these dates can differ from one place to another or between individual schools.

Understanding the UK education system

The education system in the UK is split into four main parts: primary education, secondary education, further education and higher education.

These are split into "key stages", which break down as:

• Key Stage 1: 5 to 7 years old

• Key Stage 2: 7 to 11 years old

• Key Stage 3: 11 to 14 years old

• Key Stage 4: 14 to 16 years old

In England, all children between the ages of 5 and 16 are entitled to a free place at a state school. These receive funding via their local authority or directly from the government, and the most common ones are:

• Community schools, also known as local authority maintained - these are not influenced by business or religious groups and follow the national curriculum

• Foundation schools and voluntary schools, which are funded by the local authority but have more freedom to change the way they do things - sometimes they are supported by representatives from religious groups

• Academies and free schools, which are run by not-for-profit academy trusts, are independent from the local authority - they have more freedom to change how they run things and can follow a different curriculum

• Grammar schools, which can be run by the local authority, a foundation body or an academy trust - they select their pupils based on academic ability and there is a test to get in

Maintained schools are split into two groups: primary for kids aged 5 to 11 and secondary for those between 11 to16 or up to 18 years old. For students who are 16 to18 years old wanting to go further in their education, sixth form colleges and further education colleges are available options too.

There are slight variations across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and the types of school they have.

The key differences across the UK

Each of the UK's four parts - England, Scotland, Wales, and Norther Ireland - each have their own way of doing things, especially when it comes to what curriculum children learn, the exams they take, and when dates fall.

In England, there are three terms that make up the academic year. Over in Scotland, they split their year into four terms instead. Wales are similar to England with a three-term setup for their school year. And then there's Northern Ireland; while it sticks closely to this three-term pattern too, you'll find some differences in exactly when these terms start and end.

It's helpful for families to keep track of these variations so they can plan out holidays without messing up the school schedule - particularly if they have friends or family who live in different areas and follow different dates.

Knowing the dates for school terms can help with planning childcare and holidays in advance

When do kids go back to school in 2026?

The short answer is that it depends on where you live and which school your child attends.

Always check your child’s school website before putting the date in permanent marker. Academies, independent schools and some other schools can set their own dates, while inset days often mean pupils return a day or two after the official start of term.

Related: Best school uniform from Mumsnet-loved brands and supermarkets

School terms and holiday dates for 2026–27

There isn’t one UK-wide school calendar. England and Scotland have significant local variation, while Wales and Northern Ireland publish more consistent dates.

England school term dates 2026–27

School term dates in England are set locally. Many council calendars have the autumn term starting on Tuesday 1 September 2026, an October half term from Monday 26 to Friday 30 October and the term ending on Friday 18 December.

Dates later in the year vary more noticeably. Spring half term can fall during either the second or third week of February, while Easter holidays and the end of the summer term also differ between councils.

Academies, free schools, foundation schools and voluntary-aided schools can set their own dates, so check your child’s school calendar rather than relying solely on the council timetable.

Wales school term dates 2026–27

The following dates apply to maintained schools in Wales:

Powys schools are the exception: their autumn term ends on Tuesday 22 December 2026 and their summer term ends on Friday 16 July 2027. Individual schools can also add inset days.

Scotland school term dates 2026–27

Scottish school dates are set by individual councils and vary considerably. Pupils return after the summer holiday between Wednesday 12 August and Thursday 20 August 2026, depending on the area.

October, Christmas, February and Easter holidays also vary, so use the mygov.scot term-date finder to check your local council. Your child’s school will confirm any additional in-service days.

Northern Ireland school dates 2026–27

Schools in Northern Ireland are scheduled to resume on Tuesday 1 September 2026.

Schools can adjust some dates and add staff training or development days, so check directly before arranging childcare or travel.

Finding your local school's specific term dates

• England: GOV.UK website

• Scotland: mygov.scot website

• Wales: gov.wales

• Northern Ireland: nidirect.gov.uk

To figure out the exact dates for your local school, a good starting point is to look at the school's website or get in touch with your local council. On their site, you should be able to find details about when terms start and end, holiday breaks, and any updates that might affect the calendar. 

Related: Here are the best school shoes for kids

How do schools communicate the return-to-school dates to parents and students?

Schools typically communicate school dates to parents and students through various channels like school websites, emails, letters, and text messages. If your child is starting preschool or reception for the first time, you'll likely receive a welcome pack that includes these dates for the year ahead that you can keep handy.

Some schools also use a chosen app - like Tapestry or ClassDojo - or even social media platforms to keep families informed about important school term dates and holiday schedules.

How long is a school day in the UK? 

The typical length of a school day varies slightly depending on the age of your child and their school. Generally, the timings are: 

Primary school (ages 5 to 11 years old)

• Usually start between 8.30am and 9am

• Ending between 3pm and 3.30pm 

• Total day length: around six to six and a half hours 

Secondary schools (ages 11 to 16 years old)

• Often start slightly earlier, around 8.30am 

• End between 3pm and 3.45pm, although some finish earlier at 2.30pm

• Total day length: approximately six and a half to seven hours 

Days will be longer for your child(ren) if they attend breakfast clubs (starting around 7.30am) and after school clubs (ending 4.30pm or later). 

The exact timings can vary between schools and regions, so it's best to check with your school for accurate information.

Keep track of important dates easily by syncing your calendars across devices

The next school year 2027-28

Looking ahead to the 2027–28 academic year can make booking holidays, arranging childcare and planning time off work a little less frantic.

The dates below follow the calendar used by many English councils. Exact dates vary between local authorities and schools, while academies, free schools and independent schools can set their own timetables. Check your child’s school website before making firm plans.

Dates elsewhere in the UK differ. Scottish schools usually return in August and term dates are set by individual councils. Welsh schools generally begin the autumn term on Wednesday 1 or Thursday 2 September 2027, with local variations throughout the year. Northern Ireland publishes its school holiday calendar separately.

Inset days aren’t included above and can change the first or last pupil day of each term. Your child’s school calendar is always the safest place to check.

Important holidays and notable dates

To break up the academic year, there are several important holidays and dates that are worth jotting down on your family calendar. These include:

• Bank holidays: On these days, schools take a break too - some of these will happen while the school term is still happening or attached to/during holidays like Easter and Christmas.

• Christmas: Around late December into early January is when students will usually have two weeks off for Christmas festivities.

• Easter break: For Easter breaks, it varies each year but expect around two weeks off then as well.

• Summer holidays: This begins in July and ends at the start of September and is the longest holiday period in the year.

It's unlikely that schools will close for other reasons or dates throughout the year. On rare occasions, school closures mid-term primarily happen because of an emergency like severe weather.

When is the next bank holiday?

England and Wales:

• Summer bank holiday: Monday 31 August 2026

• Christmas Day: Friday 25 December 2026

• Boxing Day substitute bank holiday: Monday 28 December 2026

Northern Ireland follows the same dates for these three bank holidays. In Scotland, the next bank holidays are St Andrew’s Day on Monday 30 November, Christmas Day on Friday 25 December and the Boxing Day substitute bank holiday on Monday 28 December.

Bank holidays don’t always match school holidays, particularly in Scotland, so check the school calendar as well.

What are 'Inset Days' and when do they happen?

On Inset Days, or staff training days as they're also known, kids remain home while teachers are working. Schools pick their own dates for these days, and there may be a few of them scattered throughout the year - they should keep you updated well in advance of these days to allow you to make childcare arrangements.

Related: Discover the best school coats for your kids

Are there differences in term dates between public and private schools?

Indeed, when it comes to dates, public and private schools don't always sync up. Public schools stick to the schedule laid out by the local council, but private schools may have their own schedule as they have the freedom to decide when their terms start and finish- including setting their holiday dates differently.

For parents whose kids are in private education, it's a good idea to get in touch with the school for precise term information.

Balancing school holidays with work

From figuring out when to go on holiday to juggling work, school and extracurricular commitments - knowing ahead of time important dates is very helpful.

A quick glance at our Talk boards and you'll soon realise that school holidays can be a tricky time for working parents. So, it's important to think ahead and figure out what you'll do in terms of balancing childcare and your job.

Some parents use their annual leave to take time off, whereas others will look into holiday clubs or places that take care of kids during these breaks.

Talking openly with your manager and having a flexible schedule can help you to balance everything a lot easier during school holidays. If you can’t come to an arrangement that suits both parties, taking unpaid parental leave may be an option. In fact, employees who are parents of a child under the age of 18 years old can take up to 18 weeks unpaid parental leave. This is a form of statutory leave to allow parents to care for their child and return to the same job afterwards.

What childcare is available during school holidays?

Settling on a childcare plan as a working parent might sound tricky, but there are several options available for families, which can vary depending on where you live. 

Read also: Finding childcare near you, a complete guide

For example, you might have access to the following near you:

• Using annual leave 

• Holiday clubs (independent or at school)

• Family/grandparents

• Childminders and/or a nanny

It’s worth asking fellow parents at school what they also use to get a good idea of what is available in your area. 

Alternatively, our guide on finding childcare near you might be useful. 

What Mumsnet users say

“Most parents do a grab bag of annual leave, holiday clubs, grandparents (if available), sharing days with each other. We have an after-school nanny who does a couple of full days a week in school holiday; we fill in the gaps with an 0830-1730 holiday club in their school and DPIL pick up the occasional day.” astronewt

“Most people I know use a mix of annual leave, family/friends, week/day holiday camps and some use things like PGL residential camps too. Some use childminders and nurseries when their children are in lower primary, as some of there providers also offer school holiday cover.” Abraxan

“We used a childminder when they were small and then a holiday club at a local sports centre. This worked well as they offered shorter days (9-4) when the activities were, but you could drop off at 8 and pick up at 6 so was more like wraparound childcare at either end of the day.” SummerSazz

How can parents plan for school holidays effectively?

To get ready for school holidays, parents can make good use of tools like the local council's website and their kid's school site.

On these sites, you'll find information about when school starts and ends, holiday dates, and if there are any updates to the school schedule. By keeping an eye on these websites often, parents can keep up-to-date and plan well in advance for the upcoming breaks.

With this information at hand, too, you can also think about extra activities or childcare plans.

Helping your child prepare for school 

Whether they’re starting school for the first time or returning to a new school year, preparing them in advance will help both them and you to avoid unnecessary stress and upset. 

We have detailed guides to help you at every stage of school, including preschool, primary school, and secondary school. If your preschooler is heading into reception, it’s helpful for them to be what is called “school ready”.

As per the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) - the statutory framework for early education in England - school readiness spans seven key areas of development, which include:

• Communication and language, like listening skills and understanding instructions

• Physical development, gross and fine motor skills like coordination and holding a pencil

• Personal, social and emotional development (PSED) includes relationships, managing emotions and confidence (plus self care)

• Literacy skills like comprehension, reading, phonics awareness and early writing

• Mathematics including counting, recognising patterns and comparing quantities

• Understanding the world by exploring people, places, technology and the natural world

• Expressive arts and design, like imaginative play, art, music, movement and storytelling

About the author

Rebecca Roberts is a writer, editor, and content marketing expert hailing from Leeds. Here at Mumsnet, she commissions, writes, and edits to bring parents content designed to make life easier. With her eldest DC starting school this September, she’s personally trying to navigate back-to-school shopping and is on a quest to find the best, most affordable school uniform and school essentials for kids. 

Beyond her role as an editor here at Mumsnet, Rebecca can be found balancing life as a working mum of two toddlers and when she’s not at her desk, you’ll likely find her at a local playgroup, in a nearby coffee shop, or walking the dog up and down country lanes.

Read next: A guide to starting preschool for parents