How Many Weeks & Terms Are in a School Year in the UK?

Children in the UK must spend a specific number of weeks in school each academic year.

The UK school term structure is comparable to that of the US and Canada, although it differs significantly from Australian and New Zealand holiday schedules, where the academic year starts in January after an extended Christmas break.

With more than ten million children enrolled in school nationwide, parents and guardians need to understand how many weeks and terms make up a normal school year in the UK.

This page provides an overview of the UK school year, including the number of terms, half terms, weeks, and school days. It also includes advice on how to stay productive during the term.

How Many Weeks in a School Year in the UK: Overview
- Number of School Weeks
- Number of School Terms
Breakdown of School Terms
How Many Weeks in a School Year in the UK: Variations Across the UK
Impact on Student Learning
Comparison with Other Countries
FAQS
References
Recommendations

How Many Weeks in a School Year in the UK: Overview

The school year in the UK is divided into terms, each with a set number of weeks. Here, we will provide an overview of the UK school year, including the number of school weeks and terms.

Number of School Weeks

The school year in the UK is 39 weeks long, with each term lasting for 13 weeks. The academic year is split into six half-terms, each six weeks long, with school holidays in between. There are a total of 190 school days in a year, with 175 of those being instructional days.

Number of School Terms

As mentioned earlier, the school year in the UK is divided into three terms. Each term usually last for 13 weeks. The first term starts in September and runs until Christmas, with a two-week holiday in October half-term. The second term starts in January and runs until Easter, with a two-week holiday in February half-term. The third term starts after Easter and runs until the end of July, with a one-week holiday in May half-term.

Here is a breakdown of the UK school year by term:

Term	Start Date	End Date	Number of Weeks
1st Term	September	December	13 weeks
2nd Term	January	Easter	13 weeks
3rd Term	After Easter	July	13 weeks

However, the exact start and end dates of each term vary depending on the school and local authority. It’s always a good idea to check with your child’s school for specific term dates.

Knowing the structure of the school year can help you plan ahead and ensure that your child doesn’t miss any important instructional days.

Breakdown of School Terms

In the United Kingdom, the academic year is divided into three terms, namely Autumn Term, Spring Term, and Summer Term. Each term has its own unique features and holidays. Here’s a breakdown of each term:

Autumn Term

The Autumn Term usually starts in early September and lasts for 14 weeks until mid-December. It is the longest term of the academic year, and students are expected to attend school for a total of 73 days.

During this term, students are introduced to new topics and concepts, and teachers usually set the tone for the rest of the academic year.

The Autumn Term includes a one-week half-term break in October, which provides students with an opportunity to take a break from their studies and recharge their batteries. The term also includes a two-week Christmas holiday, which is a time for students to spend with their families and friends.

Spring Term

The Spring Term usually starts in early January and lasts for 11 weeks until the end of March. It is shorter than the Autumn Term, and students are expected to attend school for a total of 60 days. During this term, students continue to build on the knowledge and skills they acquired in the Autumn Term.

The Spring Term includes a one-week half-term break in February, which gives students a chance to take a break from their studies and relax. The term also includes a two-week Easter holiday, which is a time for students to celebrate the Easter holiday with their families. You can check out 17 places to travel during the holiday.

Summer Term

The Summer Term usually starts in mid-April and lasts for 10 weeks until the end of June. It is the shortest term of the academic year, and the number of days students are expected to attend school is 56 days. During this term, students are given the opportunity to consolidate their learning and prepare for their end-of-year exams.

The Summer Term includes a one-week half-term break in May, which provides students with a chance to take a break from their studies and enjoy the warmer weather.

The term also includes a six-week summer holiday, which is a time for students to relax and enjoy their summer break.

Each term includes a one-week half-term break and a longer holiday, providing students with an opportunity to take a break from their studies and enjoy time with their families and friends.

How Many Weeks in a School Year in the UK: Variations Across the UK

When it comes to school terms and holidays, there are variations across the UK. Let’s take a look at the differences in school terms and holiday dates between England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

England and Wales

In England and Wales, the school year is divided into three terms: Autumn, Spring, and Summer. Each term is divided into two half-terms, making a total of six half-terms. Each local authority sets the dates for school terms and holidays, so they can vary depending on where you live.

The Autumn term usually starts in early September and ends in mid-December, with a one-week half-term break in late October. The Spring term starts in early January and ends in late March or early April. However, there is a one-week half-term break in mid-February. The Summer term starts in late April or early May and ends in late July, with a one-week half-term break in late May or early June.

Scotland

In Scotland, the school year is also divided into three terms, but the dates can vary depending on the local authority. The Autumn term usually starts in mid-August and ends in mid-December, with a one-week half-term break in mid-October.

The Spring term starts in early January and ends in late March, with a one-week half-term break in mid-February. The Summer term starts in mid-April and ends in late June or early July, with a one-week half-term break in late May.

Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, the school year is divided into four terms, with each term lasting around 10 weeks. The Department of Education sets the dates for school terms and holidays and can vary slightly from year to year.

The Autumn term usually starts in early September and ends in mid-December, with a one-week half-term break in mid-October. The Spring term starts in early January and ends in late March, with a one-week half-term break in mid-February. The Summer term starts in mid-April and ends in late June or early July, with a one-week half-term break in late May.

Generally, whether you are in England and Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland, you can expect to have around 190-200 days of school per year, with breaks for holidays and half-terms in between.

Impact on Student Learning

Number of weeks and terms in a school year in the UK can have a significant impact on student learning. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of maintaining a consistent schedule for students to ensure they receive a quality education.

Here are some factors to consider when looking at the impact of the number of weeks and terms in a school year on student learning:

1. Learning Loss

Research has shown that students can experience learning loss during extended breaks from school.

For example, a study by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and the University of Exeter found that pupils in England and Northern Ireland lost an average of 61 days of schooling between March 2020 and April 2021 due to the pandemic.

In Scotland, pupils lost 64 days, and in Wales, it was 66 days. This loss of learning time can have a significant impact on a student’s academic progress and overall success.

2. School Day Length

The length of the school day can also impact student learning. While there is some research to suggest that extending the school day can provide additional learning opportunities, there are also potential downsides to consider.

For example, a House of Commons briefing report referenced a 2017 DfE report on longer school days. This detailed concerns from staff and parents about issues such as fatigue and children travelling home alone later in the evening.

3. Teacher Availability

The availability of teachers can also impact student learning. Teachers in the UK are typically available for 195 working days per year, of which 190 are teaching days. The remaining five days are reserved for other duties, such as training. It is important to ensure that teachers have adequate time to prepare lesson plans, grade assignments, and provide individualized attention to students.

It is important to maintain a consistent schedule for students to ensure they receive a quality education and to consider factors such as learning loss, school day length, and teacher availability when designing school calendars.

Comparison with Other Countries

The UK’s school year is structured differently from other countries around the world. Here are some comparisons with other countries:

United States

In the United States, the school year starts in late August or early September and ends in May or June.

The school year is divided into two semesters. However, there is a winter break in December and a spring break in March or April. The length of the summer break varies by state and district, but it usually lasts around 2-3 months.

Europe

In Europe, the school year varies greatly from country to country. For example, in France, the school year starts in early September and ends in early July, with a two-week holiday in October, a two-week Christmas holiday, a two-week winter holiday in February, and a two-week spring holiday in April.

In Germany, the school year starts in September and ends in July. There is a two-week Christmas holiday, a one-week winter holiday in February, and a two-week Easter holiday in April.

Australia

In Australia, the school year starts in late January or early February and ends in mid-December. The school year is divided into four terms, with a 2-week break between each term and a 6-week summer break between December and January.

Japan

In Japan, the school year starts in April and ends in March of the following year. The school year is divided into three terms. However, there is a 5-6 week summer break in August and a 2-week winter break in December.

FAQS

How many weeks is a school term UK?

A school term in the UK typically lasts for 6 weeks, with a 1-week break in the middle called a half term.

How long is a school year in the UK?

The school year in the UK typically starts in September and ends in July. There are 3 terms in a school year.

How many terms is a secondary school year UK?

A secondary school year in the UK typically has 3 terms, just like a primary school year. However, the terms are slightly longer, typically lasting for 7 weeks.

How long is a semester in a university UK?

A semester in university in the UK typically lasts for 10 weeks, with a 1-week break in the middle. There are usually 2 semesters in a university year.

References

thesun.co.uk – How many weeks are there in a school year?
commonslibrary.parliament.uk – The School Day and Year
en.wikipedia.org – Academic term

How Many Weeks & Terms Are in a School Year in the UK?

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