More English schools moving to two-week October half-term breaks

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 17:21 · Archive

Fifteen per cent of English state schools now have a two-week October half-term, up from seven per cent in 2023, according to a survey of teachers.

More English state schools are extending their October half-term to two weeks, a trend that is accelerating. A Teacher Tapp survey of 8,112 state school teachers found that 15 per cent said their school had a two-week October half-term this year, up from 12 per cent in 2024 and 7 per cent in 2023.

School leaders backing the change argue that the extended autumn break gives teachers and pupils more time to rest and reset during what they describe as a long and demanding term. Some schools report that the move has resulted in reductions in pupil absence and staff illness.

The expansion reflects the growth of academies, which are state schools independent of local councils and can set their own term dates. Most council-run schools in England still operate one-week half-terms, as councils control their schedules. Some local authorities have accommodated the longer October break by shortening the summer holiday by a week. Many academies have kept other school holidays the same, instead lengthening the school day slightly or moving staff training into 'twilight' sessions.

The trend is creating challenges for parents. Education experts have warned that without a coordinated strategy, the patchwork of different school holidays risks creating a 'postcode lottery' for families, particularly those with children in schools that have chosen different dates. Parents juggling multiple children with different holiday schedules face increased childcare challenges.

In Wales, similar plans to extend the half-term and reduce the summer term were shelved in 2024 after opposition from teaching unions.

How it is being reported

• Two-Week October Half Terms?! Parents Have Had Enough AlreadyIt’s come to my attention that schools in England are increasingly opting for two-week half-terms – and there’s even talk of whether more should follow suit. I would just like to say, as a parent to a school-age child: no thank you. A Teacher Tapp poll of 8,112 state school teachers in England found 15% said their schools had an October half-term spanning a fortnight this year – up from 12% in 2025, and 7% in 2023. I get the logic. It’s been suggested you could cut the summer holidays by a week (so it’s five weeks long) and then tag an extra week onto October’s half-term. The key benefit…HuffPost UK · 21 Oct, 12:21
• Parents and teachers in England: share your views on two-week half termsWe would like to hear from parents and teachers about their thoughts and experiences of two-week half terms While it used to be standard for state schools in England to have one-week half terms, some pupils and staff are being given a fortnight off. Councils set the holiday dates for state schools in England, while academies, free schools, foundation schools and voluntary-aided schools can set their own. Most schools still opt for one week, but more around the country are moving to, or considering the move to, a two-week break. Continue reading...The Guardian · 21 Oct, 10:53
• Parents face childcare 'postcode lottery' as more schools extend October half-term breakMore schools are moving to a two-week break in October, a new survey has revealedThe Independent · 20 Oct, 00:01

In this story: England · Nottinghamshire · Bromley · Wales · Teacher Tapp

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