Planning family life around Durham school holidays and term dates doesn’t have to be stressful. Whether you’re booking summer holidays, counting down to Christmas holidays, or wondering about Easter holidays and half-term breaks, we’ve got you covered. From Durham school holiday dates to additional teacher training days Durham, this guide pulls everything together.
Let’s dive into the academic year so you can mark those closing date and date re-opens on your calendar right now!
Durham School Holidays 2025 to 2026
Here are the official recommended dates for Durham School Holidays 2025-2026 academic year. Remember to check with your school as aided schools and academies may set different dates.
| Holiday/Term | Closing Date | Date Re-opens |
|---|---|---|
| Summer 2025 | Friday 18 July 2025 | Tuesday 2 September 2025 |
| Autumn Half-term 2025 | Friday 24 October 2025 | Monday 3 November 2025 |
| Christmas 2025 | Friday 19 December 2025 | Monday 5 January 2026 |
| Spring Half-term 2026 | Friday 20 February 2026 | Monday 2 March 2026 |
| Easter 2026 | Thursday 2 April 2026 | Monday 20 April 2026 |
| May Day 2026 | Friday 1 May 2026 | Tuesday 5 May 2026 |
| Summer Half-term 2026 | Friday 22 May 2026 | Monday 1 June 2026 |
| Summer 2026 | Monday 20 July 2026 | TBC |
Durham School Holidays 2026 to 2027
Planning further ahead? Here are the Durham school holidays 2026 to 2027 for the upcoming school year.
| Holiday/Term | Closing Date | Date Re-opens |
|---|---|---|
| Summer 2026 | Monday 20 July 2026 | Tuesday 1 September 2026 |
| Autumn Half-term 2026 | Friday 23 October 2026 | Monday 2 November 2026 |
| Christmas 2026 | Friday 18 December 2026 | Monday 4 January 2027 |
| Spring Half-term 2027 | Friday 12 February 2027 | Monday 22 February 2027 |
| Easter 2027 | Thursday 25 March 2027 | Monday 12 April 2027 |
| May Day 2027 | Friday 30 April 2027 | Tuesday 4 May 2027 |
| Summer Half-term 2027 | Friday 28 May 2027 | Monday 7 June 2027 |
| Summer 2027 | Wednesday 21 July 2027 | TBC |
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Durham School Holidays 2027 to 2028
While Durham Council school holidays consultation finalizes exact dates for 2027-2028, here are the projected patterns based on historical school calendar trends. Always verify closer to time.
| Holiday/Term | Estimated Closing Date | Estimated Date Re-opens |
|---|---|---|
| Summer 2027 | Wednesday 21 July 2027 | Early September 2027 |
| Autumn Half-term 2027 | Late October 2027 | Early November 2027 |
| Christmas 2027 | Late December 2027 | Early January 2028 |
| Spring Half-term 2028 | Mid-February 2028 | Late February 2028 |
| Easter 2028 | TBC (March/April) | TBC (April) |
| May Day 2028 | Early May 2028 | Mid-May 2028 |
| Summer Half-term 2028 | Late May 2028 | Early June 2028 |
| Summer 2028 | Late July 2028 | Early September 2028 |
Every individual school publishes its own calendar, so keep an eye on your school website for the most accurate dates.
Durham School Holidays: A Detailed Breakdown
Understanding how the school year unfolds helps with planning everything from childcare to family getaways. Let’s walk through each term.
Autumn Term
The autumn term kicks off in early September, fresh after the summer holidays. There’s a breather with the October half-term before the excitement builds toward Christmas holidays. For Durham school summer half-term planners, this is when early bookings for the following year often begin!
Spring Term
After the New Year, children return in early January. The spring half-term usually falls in February, offering a lovely mid-term break. Then all eyes turn to Easter holidays, which shift each year but typically land in March or April.
Summer Term
The final stretch! The summer term includes the May Day bank holiday and the summer half-term in late May or early June. Then it’s a sprint to the summer holidays, beginning in late July.
What are Teacher Training Days?
Teacher training days (also called PD days or inset days) are when schools close so staff can receive professional development. These school inset days Durham happen during term-time, meaning your child stays home while teachers train.
Durham school inset days list by school varies, so you’ll need to visit your school website for exact dates. Some schools use twilight sessions (after-school training) to minimize disruption, but many still take full school closure days.
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How Many Inset Days are There?
The number of teacher training days depends on the academic year:
- 2025/26 school year: There are 193 teaching days. Schools close for 3 PD days and use 2 additional days for training during holidays or twilight sessions.
- 2026/27 school year: There are 195 teaching days. Up to 5 days are used for teacher training, decided by individual schools.
Always check with your school for their exact schedule.
Durham Public Holidays During Term Time
Some public holidays fall within term-time, giving families an extra long weekend. Key dates include:
- May Day (early May)
- Spring Bank Holiday (late May)
Planning around Durham school holidays and term dates just got easier! Whether you’re mapping out summer holidays, counting down to Christmas holidays, or scheduling around inset days, having these dates at your fingertips makes all the difference.
Explore more school holidays:
- UK School Holidays
- England School Holidays
- Wales School Holidays
- Northern Ireland School Holidays
- Edinburgh School Holidays
- Fife School Holidays
- Norfolk School Holidays
- Leeds School Holidays
- Bedfordshire School Holidays
FAQs
What are the 2027 Durham school Easter dates?
Schools close on Thursday 25 March 2027 and re-open on Monday 12 April 2027.
Are academies in Durham following the same holidays?
Not necessarily. Aided schools and academies can set different dates. Always verify directly with your school.
How do I find my school’s inset day dates?
Your school website is the best source. Look under “Parents” or “Calendar” sections for the Durham school inset days list by school.
Can schools change their term dates after they are published?
Yes, occasionally schools adjust dates due to unforeseen circumstances like extreme weather or local elections. Always double-check closer to the time, especially for teacher training days.
Do all schools in Durham finish for summer on the same day?
Most follow the recommended dates, but some academies and aided schools may finish earlier or later. Your school website will confirm their exact closing date.
Are teacher training days the same across all Durham schools?
No, PD days are decided by individual schools. Two schools in the same area often have different inset days, so always check both if you have children at different schools.
How far in advance are school holidays confirmed?
Most Durham schools confirm dates at least one year ahead, though Durham Council school holidays consultation may refine dates for future academic year cycles.
Official Resources
For the most up-to-date information, visit:
- Durham Council – Official school holiday page
- UK GOV Website – National education guidance
Happy planning from the Coming Holidays team!
