When do schools go back? Holiday and term dates for 2024
As the winter holidays come to a close, pupils from across the UK will be faced with the prospect of returning to school.
Schools normally go back in the week after the New Year – 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 bank holiday: 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
