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    How can we maximise the academic year’s bank holidays with our Christmas and easter time off for optimal rest and relaxation time? Cast a glance down our UK School holiday guide and count the number of days per each holiday!

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    UK School Holidays for 2024/2025: A Guide

    School holidays are an essential part of the academic calendar, offering students and teachers valuable time to rest, recharge, and prepare for the next phase of their educational journey. 

    What’s important to note is that school holidays can vary by country. For example, Northern Ireland has 8 weeks of summer holiday while England only has 6 weeks. Here’s our general overview of the UK school holidays for the 2024/2025 academic year.

    What are the UK School Holidays for 2024/2025?

    In the UK, the academic year is typically divided into three main terms: Autumn, Spring, and Summer. Each term includes a half-term break, and there are extended breaks for Christmas, Easter, and summer:

    Region Holiday Start Date End Date
    England Autumn Half-Term 28 October 2024 1 November 2024
    Christmas Holidays 23 December 2024 3 January 2025
    Spring Half-Term 17 February 2025 21 February 2025
    Easter Holidays 7 April 2025 21 April 2025
    Summer Half-Term 26 May 2025 31 May 2025
    Summer Holidays 22 July 2025 31 August 2025
    Scotland Autumn Half-Term 14 October 2024 18 October 2024
    Christmas Holidays 21 December 2024 6 January 2025
    Spring Half-Term 10 February 2025 14 February 2025
    Easter Holidays 7 April 2025 21 April 2025
    Summer Holidays 26 June 2025 12 August 2025
    Wales Autumn Half-Term 28 October 2024 1 November 2024
    Christmas Holidays 20 December 2024 5 January 2025
    Spring Half-Term 24 February 2025 28 February 2025
    Easter Holidays 12 April 2025 27 April 2025
    Summer Holidays 21 July 2025 1 September 2025
    Northern Ireland Autumn Half-Term 28 October 2024 1 November 2024
    Christmas Holidays 23 December 2024 2 January 2025
    Spring Half-Term 13 February 2025 14 February 2025
    Easter Holidays 17 April 2025 25 April 2025
    Summer Holidays 1 July 2025 1 September 2025

     

    Specific dates can vary depending on the local authority, so it’s always advisable to check with your child’s school or local council for the exact holiday dates.

    Christmas School Holidays UK

    The Christmas holidays are one of the longest breaks in the school year and a time for family gatherings and festivities. For the 2024/2025 academic year, schools in the UK are expected to close for the Christmas holidays around the following dates:

    • Start: Mid-December 2024
    • End: Early January 2025

    This break usually lasts about two weeks, giving students ample time to relax and enjoy the holiday season. It’s also a great time for secondary school students to start some light revision, particularly those preparing for exams in the spring and summer terms.

    Easter School Holidays

    Easter holidays mark the end of the Spring term and provide a well-needed break for students and teachers. The Easter break for the 2024/2025 school year is expected to occur around the following dates:

    • Start: Late March or early April 2025
    • End: Two weeks after the start date

    This two-week break often coincides with the Easter weekend, offering a chance for family time, travel, and rest. For students in exam years, the Easter holiday can be a crucial period for exam preparation, with many schools offering optional revision sessions during this time.

    School Summer Holidays

    The summer holidays are the longest break in the UK school calendar, providing a significant opportunity for rest, recreation, and family activities. For the 2024/2025 school year in UK, the summer holidays are expected to be:

    • Start: Late July 2025
    • End: Early September 2025

    Typically lasting six to eight weeks (depending on the region), the summer holidays allow students to unwind after a busy academic year. For many, it’s a time for family holidays, summer camps, and activities to do with your friends. For students transitioning to new schools or preparing for exams, the summer break can also be a time to get ahead with reading or light study.

    GCSE Results Day 2024, A Group of students hanging out in the sunset, StudySmarter Magazine

     

    How Many Days of School Holidays in a Year in the UK?

    In the UK, the school year consists of 190 teaching days, leaving around 175 days of holidays and weekends. The school holidays in England and Wales usually add up to around 13 weeks of holidays, spread across the year as follows:

    • Autumn Half-Term: 1 week
    • Christmas Holidays: 2 weeks
    • Spring Half-Term: 1 week
    • Easter Holidays: 2 weeks
    • Summer Half-Term: 1 week
    • Summer Holidays: 6-8 weeks

    In addition to these, students in the UK also enjoy several long weekends due to bank holidays.

    Are Schools Closed on Bank Holidays in the UK?

    Yes, schools in the UK are generally closed on bank holidays, including national holidays.

    Bank Holidays 2024

    Take a look at the full range of UK 2024 Bank holidays:

    • New Year’s Day – 1st January 2024 (Scotland also has the 2nd of January)
    • St. Patrick’s Day – 17th March 2024 (Northern Ireland Only)
    • Good Friday – 29th March 2024
    • Easter Monday – 1st April 2024
    • Early May Bank Holiday – 6th May 2024
    • Spring Bank Holiday – 27th May 2024
    • Battle of the Boyne Anniversary – 12th July 2024 (Northern Ireland Only)
    • Summer Bank Holiday – 26th August 2024 (Scotland has the 5th of August instead)
    • St. Andrew’s Day – 2nd December 2024 (Scotland Only)
    • Christmas Day – 25th December 2024
    • Boxing Day – 26th December 2024

     

    Bank Holidays 2025

    Take a look at the full range of UK 2025 Bank holidays:

    • New Year’s Day – 1st January 2025 (Scotland also has the 2nd of January)
    • St. Patrick’s Day – 17th March 2025 (Northern Ireland Only)
    • Good Friday – 18th April 2025
    • Easter Monday – 21st April 2025
    • Early May Bank Holiday – 5th May 2025
    • Spring Bank Holiday – 26th May 2025
    • Battle of the Boyne Anniversary – 12th July 2025 (Northern Ireland Only)
    • Summer Bank Holiday – 25th August 2025 (Scotland has 4th of August instead)
    • St. Andrew’s Day – 1st December 2025 (Scotland Only)
    • Christmas Day – 25th December 2025
    • Boxing Day – 26th December 2025

    Bank holidays provide additional breaks within the school terms and are especially appreciated by students and teachers as they offer extra days off without cutting into the main holiday periods.

    Tips for Making the Most of UK School Holidays

    1. Plan Ahead: Knowing the school holiday dates in advance helps families plan holidays, activities, and revision schedules.
    2. Balance Rest and Study: While holidays are for rest, incorporating some study, especially before exams, can be beneficial.
    3. Engage in Enrichment Activities: Holidays are an excellent time to pursue hobbies, read, and explore interests outside the standard curriculum.

    Understanding the UK school holiday schedule for the 2024/2025 academic year is key for effective planning. Whether it’s booking family holidays, scheduling study time, or simply preparing for the next school term, these breaks offer a structured balance of rest and preparation throughout the school year.

    Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Qs)

    The UK school holidays for the 2024/2025 academic year vary slightly by region, but typically include the following: Autumn Half-Term: 28 October – 1 November 2024 Christmas Holidays: 23 December 2024 – 3 January 2025 Spring Half-Term: 17 – 21 February 2025 Easter Holidays: 7 – 21 April 2025 Summer Half-Term: 26 – 31 May 2025 Summer Holidays: Begin on 22 July 2025 (England)​

    On average, students in the UK have approximately 13 weeks of school holidays spread throughout the year.

    The Easter school holidays in the UK for 2025 are expected to fall as follows: England and Wales: 7 April – 21 April 2025 Scotland: 7 April – 21 April 2025 Northern Ireland: 17 April – 25 April 2025​

    Yes, schools in the UK are closed on bank holidays.

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