Skip to content

Hertfordshire County Council

School year (2023/24)

Start of term: 1 September 2023

Half term holiday: 23 October 2023 - 27 October 2023

Christmas holiday: 21 December 2023 - 3 January 2024

Half term holiday: 19 February 2024 - 23 February 2024

Easter holiday: 29 March 2024 - 12 April 2024

Half term holiday: 27 May 2024 – 31 May 2024

Summer holiday: 24 July 2024 - 1 September 2024

Printable version of school term dates 2023/24 (PDF 42KB)

School year (2024/25)

Start of term: 2 September 2024

Half term holiday: 28 October 2024 - 1 November 2024

Christmas holiday: 23 December 2024 - 3 January 2025

Half term holiday: 17 February 2025 - 21 February 2025

Easter holiday: 7 April 2025 - 21 April 2025

Half term holiday: 26 May 2025 – 30 May 2025

Summer holiday: 24 July 2025 - 2 September 2025

Printable version of school term dates 2024/25 (PDF 64KB)

School year (2025/26)

Start of term: 3 September 2025

Half term holiday: 27 October 2025 - 31 October 2025

Christmas holiday: 22 December 2025 - 2 January 2026

Half term holiday: 16 February 2026 - 20 February 2026

Easter holiday: 30 March 2026 - 10 April 2026

Half term holiday: 25 May 2026 – 29 May 2026

Summer holiday: 24 July 2026 - 3 September 2026

Printable version of school term dates 2025/26 (PDF 68KB)

 Opening a new wind

 

INSET days and occasional days

Community and voluntary-controlled schools must use the above term dates, adding 5 INSET days and 1 Occasional day where children don't need to go to school.

Academies, voluntary-aided, foundation and free schools aren't required to follow the above term dates. 

Check with your school for their specific term dates.Opening a new win

 

 Opening a new window

Future term dates will be published by 31 January each year.

How we set term dates

We set term dates to make sure children get the most out of their time at school. We set them based on 7 principles.

1.  School and teacher representatives set an annual window of 196 days. Schools must divide the days between:

  • 190 days pupil attendance
  • 5 professional development days
  • 1 day for occasional holiday

2.  When 2 weeks are set they should include 3 weekends.

3.  School terms should be in full weeks Monday to Friday. If this isn't possible, there should be at least 2 working days.

4.  All half-terms must be full weeks.

5.  The Christmas break should contain 2 full weeks where possible.

6.  Holidays should be as close to neighbouring counties as possible.

7.  The year 7 taster day for new secondary school pupils must be the second Thursday in July.

 

Rate this page