How the UK School Year and Terms Work: A Complete Guide

The UK school year in England runs from early September to mid-July — roughly 39 weeks — divided into three terms (Autumn, Spring, Summer), each split by a half-term break. Exact dates are set by individual local authorities and schools, so there is national variation.

The three-term structure

England's academic year is built around three terms, which together cover approximately 190 teaching days. The Department for Education (DfE) does not prescribe specific start and end dates, but schools must meet the minimum requirement of 380 half-day sessions per year.

Autumn term runs from early September to late December. At roughly 15 weeks (including the half-term break), it is the longest term of the year.

Spring term runs from early January to late March or early April, ending before the Easter holiday. It typically covers 12 to 13 weeks.

Summer term runs from mid-April (after Easter) through to mid-July. Including the half-term break, it lasts around 12 to 13 weeks.

Between the Summer and Autumn terms sits the main summer holiday — usually six or seven weeks, running from mid-July to early September.

Half-term breaks explained

Each of the three terms is divided in two by a half-term break. These are week-long holidays that give pupils and teachers a mid-term rest. Because dates are set locally, exact timing varies — but the pattern is consistent across England:

Autumn half-term: late October, typically the week of 28 October

Spring half-term: mid-February, typically the week of 17 February

Summer half-term: late May to early June, typically the week of 26 May

The May/June half-term is also known as the Whitsun or Spring Bank Holiday week and coincides with the national bank holiday.

Term-by-term calendar

The table below shows typical dates for a standard academic year in England. Individual schools and local authorities may vary by a week or two in either direction — always check your school's own published dates.

Term | Approximate start | Approximate end | Half-term break
Autumn | Early September | Late December | Late October (1 week)
Spring | Early January | Late March / early April | Mid-February (1 week)
Summer | Mid-April | Mid-July | Late May / early June (1 week)

Published term dates for all local authorities in England are available on gov.uk.

How the school year affects KS3 students

KS3 covers Years 7, 8, and 9 — the first three years of secondary school. The rhythm of the school year shapes what pupils experience at each stage.

Autumn term is typically a period of transition and establishing routines. Year 7 pupils are settling into a new school; Year 8 and 9 students are consolidating prior learning and beginning to stretch into more demanding content. Schools often use the Autumn term to introduce new topic blocks across subjects, and internal assessments frequently take place in December.

Spring term tends to be academically focused. Longer lesson blocks with fewer interruptions allow teachers to cover more ground, and progress checks or internal exams are common in January and March. For Year 9 pupils, the Spring term is often when GCSE option choices are made.

Summer term is characterised by consolidation and end-of-year assessments. Internal exams or school reports usually appear in June or July, and pupils move on to the next year group's content before the summer break.

How the school year affects GCSE students

For pupils in Years 10 and 11 (GCSE years), the school calendar carries more weight. Key milestones include:

November (Year 11): First round of mock exams, covering material studied so far. Results inform predicted grades and revision priorities.

February (Year 11): Second round of mocks in many schools, closer to the real thing in scope and timing.

March–May: Intensive revision season. Many families arrange additional tutoring support during this period.

May–June: GCSE written examinations. Most papers are sat in this window, published annually by awarding bodies such as AQA, Edexcel, and OCR.

August: Results Day, when grades are published — typically the third Thursday of August.

Year 10 follows a similar structure but without the high-stakes exam window. Some components — particularly coursework and controlled assessments — are completed and submitted during Year 10.

Who sets school term dates?

The DfE sets the dates of national bank holidays, which act as fixed reference points. Beyond that, responsibility lies with individual local authorities (LAs) for maintained schools, and with the governing bodies of academies and free schools, which have greater flexibility.

This means that schools in neighbouring boroughs can have term dates that differ by a week, and academy schools within the same town may start the year on different days. The practical upshot: always check directly with your child's school for precise dates.

Holiday planning tips for parents

Taking children out of school during term time is a significant decision — and in GCSE year, it can have real academic consequences.

Under current gov.uk guidance, headteachers can only authorise term-time absence in exceptional circumstances. If a headteacher refuses a request and parents take the holiday anyway, the local authority can issue a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) — currently £80 per parent per child (rising to £160 if unpaid within 21 days). Repeated absences can lead to prosecution.

For parents of Year 11 pupils in particular, the risk is sharpest between February and June. Missing revision lessons or — worse — a GCSE sitting carries consequences that no holiday can justify. If travel is essential, the Christmas and summer holidays (outside the GCSE exam window) are the safest options.

Frequently asked questions

When does the school year start in England?

Most schools in England return in early September, typically the first or second week of the month. The exact date varies by local authority and school type — academies have greater flexibility. Published dates for all English local authorities are available on gov.uk.

How many weeks is a UK school term?

Each term is roughly 12 to 15 weeks long, including the half-term break. The Autumn term is the longest at around 15 weeks; Spring and Summer terms are typically 12 to 13 weeks each. In total, the school year spans approximately 39 weeks.

When are GCSE exams held in the school year?

GCSE written examinations are held in May and June, during the Summer term of Year 11. Exact timetables are set by awarding bodies (AQA, Edexcel, OCR) and published several months in advance. Mock exams, used for practice and predicted grades, are typically held in November and February of Year 11.

Can I take my child on holiday during term time?

Headteachers can only authorise term-time absence in exceptional circumstances under current government rules. Unauthorised absences can result in a Fixed Penalty Notice issued by the local authority. For GCSE pupils especially, absences during the Spring and Summer terms risk disrupting revision and, in the worst case, missing exam sittings.

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