Latest
Latest
4h agoRussian assault kills four as Ukraine prepares for first December Christmas
Latest
9h agoBlock Truss's resignation honours, Sunak urged ahead of list being published
Latest
9h agoHumza Yousaf says relatives in Gaza face 'indescribable' festive period

When schools break up for the Christmas holidays in 2023

Here's when schools across the country will break up, how to check your local school, and a full list of term dates for the 2023-24 academic year

The first term of the academic year is nearing its conclusion, and pupils across the country are counting down the days until the Christmas holidays.

Schools normally break up in the week leading up to Christmas – although exact dates differ depending on where you live.

Here’s when schools across the country will break up, how to check your local school, and a full list of term dates for the 2023-24 academic year.

School holiday dates 2023-24

England and Wales

In England and Wales, term and holiday dates may differ by local authority, but the majority are following this pattern:

Autumn term 2023

  • Start of term: Monday 4 September, 2023
  • Half term: Monday 23 October to Friday 27 October, 2023 (Welsh half term: Monday 30 October to Friday 3 November)
  • End of term: Thursday 21 December, 2023
  • Christmas holiday: Friday 22 December, 2023 to Friday 5 January, 2024

Spring term 2024

  • Start of term: Monday 8 January, 2024
  • Half term: Monday 12 February to Friday 16 February, 2024
  • End of term: Thursday 28 March, 2024 (Welsh end of term: Friday 22 March)
  • Easter holiday: Friday 29 March to Friday 12 April, 2024

Summer term 2024

  • Start of term: Monday 15 April, 2024 (Welsh start of term: Monday 8 April)
  • May day: Monday 6 May, 2024
  • Half term: Monday 27 May to Friday 31 May, 2024
  • End of term: Wednesday 24 July, 2024

Pupils will also be off on bank holidays.

Scotland

Autumn term 2023

  • Start of term: Wednesday 16 August, 2023
  • Half term: Monday 9 October to Monday 16 October, 2023
  • End of term: Thursday 23 December, 2023
  • Christmas holiday: Friday 24 December, 2023 to Friday 5 January, 2024

Spring term 2024

  • Start of term: Monday 8 January, 2024
  • Half term: Monday 12 February, 2024 to Friday 16 February, 2024
  • End of term: Thursday 28 March, 2024
  • Easter holiday: Friday 29 March, 2024 to Friday 12 April, 2024

Summer term 2024

  • Start of term: Monday 15 April, 2024
  • May day: Monday 6 May, 2024
  • End of term: Friday 28 June, 2024

Northern Ireland

Autumn term 2023

  • Start of term: Friday 1 September, 2023
  • End of term: Thursday 21 December, 2023
  • Christmas holiday: Friday 22 December, 2023 to Tuesday 2 January, 2024

Spring term 2024

  • Start of term: Wednesday 3 January, 2024
  • Mid-term: Thursday 15 February, 2024 to Friday 16 February, 2024
  • End of term: Wednesday 27 March, 2024
  • Easter holiday: Thursday 28 March, 2024 to Thursday 4 April, 2024

Summer term 2024

  • Start of term: Friday 5 April, 2024
  • May day: Monday 6 May, 2024
  • End of term: Friday 28 June, 2024

Most Read By Subscribers