When is half-term? Full list of 2023-24 school term times and when pupils will return in October
For many pupils across England and Wales, it is now the first half-term of the academic year.
Here are the dates for the upcoming half-term, how to check your local school, and a full list of school term dates for the 2023-24 academic year across the UK.
When is the October half term?
Most schools in England and Wales broke up for half-term on Friday 20 October.
Pupils will get a week off, before returning to class on Monday 30 October.
Dates can differ by area, however. To see the term dates in your area, enter your postcode into the Government website here, and it will direct you to the relevant page on your council’s site.
Scotland has already had its October half term, with most pupils returning to school on Monday 16 October.
Northern Ireland does not have a half-term in October – students must wait until December to get a break.
School term 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
- 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
- Easter holiday: Friday 29 March – Friday 12 April, 2024
Summer term 2024
- Start of term: Monday 15 April, 2024
- 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
