School Term Dates

Parents often dread half terms; having to keep the little ones entertained for weeks on end can be difficult. So you know when to start preparing for an upcoming school holiday, here’s the school term dates for this year:

The dates below are only a recommendation for schools to adopt you should check with the individual school if you wish to know the dates they will be using.

Half terms will commence between term dates.

The recommended dates for 2025/26 are based on a calendar of 195 days which means schools will take their in-service days within these dates. 

Planning around the next break? See what’s on for the school holidays and half term in Dorset here.

2025/2026 Term Dates:

Term 1:

Start: Wednesday 3rd September 2025

Finish: Friday 24th October 2025

Term 2:

Start: Monday 3rd November 2025

Finish: Friday 19th December 2025

Term 3:

Start: Monday 5th January 2026 

Finish: Friday 13th February 2026

Term 4:

Start: Monday 23rd February 2026

Finish: Friday 27th March 2026 

Term 5:

Start: Monday 13th April 2026

Finish: Friday 22nd May 2026   

Term 6:

Start: Monday 1st June 2026

Finish: Wednesday 22nd July 2026

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 2026

• 01 January - New Year’s Day
• 03 April - Good Friday
• 06 April - Easter Monday
• 04 May - Early May bank holiday
• 25 May - Spring bank holiday
• 31 August - Summer bank holiday
• 25 December - Christmas Day
• 26 December - Boxing Day

Looking for fun ways to spend half term? Click here to see our Total Guide to Half Term in Dorset.