School Term Dates Calculator 2026/27

About this school term dates calculator

The school term dates calculator gives you an instant, live answer to the questions every UK parent types into Google: are schools open today, how many days are left of term, and when is the next school holiday? Choose your nation – England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland – and the tool compares today's date against the published 2025/26 and 2026/27 academic-year calendars to tell you whether schools are in term or on a break, exactly how many days remain, and the name and start date of the next holiday.

It is built for busy parents, carers, childminders and teachers planning childcare, family trips and revision around the school calendar. Because term dates differ noticeably between the four UK nations – Scottish schools break up for summer in late June while English and Welsh schools run to mid–late July, and Northern Ireland's summer holiday always starts on 1 July – the nation selector matters. You can also type any future date to count down to a specific half term or holiday. All dates reflect the standard state-school pattern; individual schools add their own INSET (teacher training) days, so always confirm the precise days with your own school.

How it works

The calculator stores the term, half-term and holiday boundaries for each UK nation for the current and next academic year. When you press Check term dates it:

1. Reads your chosen nation and the date (today by default, or any date you enter).
2. Finds which calendar period that date falls inside – a term or a holiday.
3. If schools are in term, it counts the days to the end of term and finds the next holiday.
4. If schools are on holiday, it counts the days of holiday left and the date schools return.

It is pure date arithmetic, so the countdown is always accurate to the day. No personal data is sent anywhere – the calculation runs entirely in your browser.

Worked example

Suppose a parent in England checks the tool on Monday 12 October 2026. The autumn term runs from 2 September to 23 October 2026, so the calculator confirms schools are in term and that there are 12 days left until the end of term (12 October through to and including 23 October). It then looks ahead and reports that the next holiday is the October half term, starting Monday 26 October 2026 – just 14 days away – and ending Friday 30 October 2026. A family can use that to book a half-term getaway with confidence.

Frequently asked questions

When do schools break up for summer in 2026?

In England most state schools break up around Friday 17 July 2026 (summer holiday from 20 July), and in Wales around Tuesday 21 July 2026. Scottish schools finish earlier – many close around 25 June 2026 – while Northern Ireland's summer holiday always begins on 1 July 2026. Exact dates vary by council and school.

When is the October half term 2026?

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland the October half term is the week of Monday 26 to Friday 30 October 2026. Scotland instead has a longer October holiday, typically around mid-October, set by each council.

Why are Scottish school dates different?

Scotland runs on a different academic calendar: the school year starts in mid-August, the summer holiday begins in late June, and there is a single longer October holiday rather than a one-week half term. Each of Scotland's 32 councils sets its own dates, so we use representative dates – always confirm with your local authority.

Are these the official government term dates?

Term dates in England and Northern Ireland are set by local councils and individual schools, while Wales (Welsh Government) and Scottish councils publish approved dates. The figures here reflect the standard published pattern for each nation, but your specific school may differ by a day or two because of INSET days.

Sources: UK term dates are published by local councils and devolved governments. See GOV.UK – School term and holiday dates and GOV.WALES – School term dates 2026 to 2027. Always confirm with your own school or local authority.