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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!
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.
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
- Plan Ahead: Knowing the school holiday dates in advance helps families plan holidays, activities, and revision schedules.
- Balance Rest and Study: While holidays are for rest, incorporating some study, especially before exams, can be beneficial.
- 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.
