As a parent, staying on top of school term dates can feel like a job in itself. Between work commitments, childcare planning and holiday bookings, knowing when your child is in or out of school can make a big difference.
National guidance gives a general structure to the academic calendar. However, school term dates in the UK vary slightly between local councils. That means two families living just a few miles apart might have entirely different schedules.
To help you plan ahead for the 2025–26 academic year, the exam coaching team at Performance Learning have broken down the key dates you need to know: from term times and holidays to public holidays, exam periods and more.
Why are school term dates different for everyone?
School term dates in the UK are not set nationally.
They vary slightly between local authorities, and sometimes even between individual schools – especially academies and free schools.
That’s why it’s essential to check your local council’s website or your child’s school calendar for the most accurate term dates.
The dates below are based on the general patterns followed by most schools in England and Wales for the 2025–26 academic year.
Autumn term 2025
Start date: Monday 1 September 2025
End date: Friday 19 December 2025 (approximate)
Half-term break: One week in late October
The academic year kicks off on the first day of September this year, following the summer holidays. That being said, the exact date your child will return to school could vary to another day in that week.
The autumn term is key for establishing routines and settling into new subjects. For GCSE, AS and A Level students, many mock exams are scheduled toward the end of this term.
Whether they’re doing exams or not, make sure your child gets into good habits early in the term, especially with homework, revision planning and sleep routines.
Christmas holidays
Start date: Monday 22 December 2025
End date: Friday 2 January 2026
This two-week break is a welcome rest after a long autumn term. It’s a good time for some relaxed revision catch-up or light reading, but also essential downtime for recharging before the spring term starts.
Most schools reopen on Monday 5 January 2026 – but as always, check your child’s school calendar to know the exact date they’ll return to the classroom..
Spring term 2026
Start date: Monday 5 January 2026
End date: Friday 27 March 2026 (approximate)
Half-term break: One week in mid-February
The spring term starts after the Christmas break, and is often when students begin to feel the pressure of the academic year, especially when sitting their GCSEs in Years 10 and 11. Coursework deadlines start to crop up, and revision becomes more structured.
Use this term to encourage your child to check in with teachers, seek help where needed and refine their study timetable.
Easter holidays
Start date: Monday 30 March 2026 (approximate)
End date: Friday 10 April 2026 (approximate)
The two-week Easter break is a great time for kids to relax with some British sunshine, whilst also staying aware of their learning.
It’s especially important for GCSE and A Level students. It lands just before the start of the exam period, making it a crucial window for focused revision.
Try to help your child balance rest and preparation: a mix of revision blocks, active recall techniques and some time outdoors can do wonders.
Summer term 2026
Start date: Monday 13 April 2026 (approximate)
End date: Late July 2026, usually around Friday 17 July to Friday 24 July
The summer term marks the final stretch of the academic year. For exam-taking students, this is when GCSEs and A Levels take place. For younger years, it’s a time of end-of-year assessments and looking ahead to the next academic step.
Some schools finish earlier than others, depending on local council calendars and teacher training days.
Public holidays during the school year
These are national holidays when schools will be closed. If any of these fall inside a term week, it’s worth noting the short break in routine.
- Christmas Day – Thursday 25 December 2025
- Boxing Day – Friday 26 December 2025
- New Year’s Day – Thursday 1 January 2026
- Good Friday – Friday 3 April 2026
- Easter Monday – Monday 6 April 2026
- May Day Bank Holiday – Monday 4 May 2026
- Spring Bank Holiday – Monday 25 May 2026
- August Bank Holiday – Monday 31 August 2026
Teacher availability days (INSET days)
Every school includes five teacher availability days during the academic year, where staff are in school but pupils are not. These days are often used for training and planning.
Dates for these vary by school, so check your school calendar to know how they will specifically affect you. They sometimes attach to half-term or end-of-term breaks, giving students an extra-long weekend.
Key school term dates for 2026 GCSE exams
If your child is sitting GCSEs in 2026, most exams will take place from early May to late June. The exact dates depend on the exam board and the subject.
As a guide, in the 2025 summer exam series, GCSEs began during the week of Monday 5 May and ended with the official contingency day on Wednesday 25 June 2025. We expect the 2026 timetable to follow a similar structure.
Here are the key points to keep in mind:
- Most GCSEs will run during May and June 2026
- The contingency day is likely to be around Wednesday 24 or 25 June 2026
- Non-exam assessments (like speaking tests or science practicals) may be scheduled earlier by your child’s school
These dates are provisional and can shift slightly, so always check the most up-to-date timetable from your child’s exam board or school.
Why knowing school term dates matters for parents
Knowing the key term and exam dates helps you:
- Plan holidays with confidence
You’ll avoid fines or lost learning time from term-time absences if you check your local dates before booking. - Support your child’s revision effectively
You can help build revision schedules around school term lengths and holidays, particularly at Easter. - Coordinate childcare and work commitments
INSET days, early finishes or public holidays can catch parents off guard. Being aware means you can plan ahead. - Ease anxiety for your child
Having a clear timeline, particularly in exam years, can reduce stress and make the year feel more manageable.
While national guidelines offer a helpful framework, every school can vary slightly depending on local authority decisions, exam boards and internal scheduling. That’s why it’s important to:
- Bookmark your local council’s website for updated school calendars
- Ask your child’s school for their specific term dates and exam timetables
- Set calendar reminders for term start/end, revision milestones and holidays
With a bit of preparation, you’ll be able to support your child through the 2025–26 school term dates with confidence.
Last-minute scrambles, missed exams or forgotten dates can become a thing of the past, thankfully.
Looking for an exam coach for the 2025-26 school year?
Want to help your child build focus, reduce stress and stay on top of revision all throughout the 2025-26 academic year?
Performance Learning can do just that. Find out about our programmes and packages here.
