Term dates

Term time holidays

You should not take children on holiday during term time. If it is unavoidable you will need to get permission from the headteacher at your child's school.

Setting term dates

Local authorities continue to set the term dates for these schools.

Therefore we remind community and voluntary controlled schools that they should continue to use these set term dates.

Academies, foundation schools and voluntary aided schools remain responsible for setting term dates for their school, and we encourage them to consider the implications for parents who may have other children who attend other schools in the area and set their term dates in good time.

In the school year, there should be 190 school days where pupils can attend (except for academies and free schools). Schools may decide individually or collectively which 5 days in the year are INSET or non-contact days (days pupils do not need to attend).

Academies and free schools are not legally bound by school day and school year regulations; however, the Department for Education has stated they should be working towards a minimum of 32.5 hours per school week.

Please note, that as per the academy trust governance guide, academies and free schools can choose to set their own term dates. Schools considering alternative dates or considering changes to their school opening times may wish to contact our Transport Team to discuss transport implications and contact local childcare providers to discuss what impact this could have.