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.

2026/2027 Term Dates:

Term 1:

Start: Tuesday 1st September 2026

Finish: Friday 23rd October 2026

Term 2:

Start: Monday 2nd November 2026

Finish: Friday 18th December 2026

Term 3:

Start: Monday 4th January 2027

Finish: Friday 12th February 2027

Term 4:

Start: Monday 22nd February 2027

Finish: Thursday 25th March 2027

Term 5:

Start: Monday 12th April 2027

Finish: Friday 28th May 2027

Term 6:

Start: Tuesday 1st June 2027

Finish: Wednesday 21st July 2027

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 2026/2027

• 25 December - Christmas Day
• 28 December - Boxing Day Holiday
• 1 January - New Year's Day
• 26 March - Good Friday
• 29 March - Easter Monday
• 3 May - May Day Holiday
• 31 May - Spring Bank Holiday
• 30 August - Summer Bank Holiday

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