When is October half-term 2020? UK school holiday dates explained
OCTOBER half-term is fast approaching after students returned to school following a months-long hiatus during lockdown.
But when is it? Here's the 2020 UK school holiday dates explained.
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What are the dates of the October half-term?
The dates of the October half-term in England and Wales vary from region to region each year.
In 2020, most schools will see the break fall either from Monday, October 19 to Friday, October 23, or Monday, October 26 to Friday, October 30.
However, you can check the exact dates for your area using the government’s
In Scotland, where schools returned in August, the week-long mid-term break tends to fall slightly earlier in October.
Schoolchildren in Northern Ireland traditionally only get a two day break at Halloween, this year being Thursday 29 and Friday 30, October.
Labour leader Keir Starmer has called for a nationwide "circuit breaker" lockdown to fall over the break, but it's unclear yet whether this will affect the dates schools break up.
Sir Keir suggested having the circuit breaker at this time would mean schools would not have to close because they would be on half term.
When are the school holidays in 2020?
Schools usually have an October half-term, Christmas break, February half-term, Easter break and a summer holiday.
The exact dates of these holidays vary throughout the UK, with schools in Scotland tending to break up and go back earlier.
Schools in Northern Ireland also forgo some of the breaks.
school dates
In general schools will break up on Friday, December 18, for Christmas and go back on January 4 or 5, 2021.
To find out your school's set dates you can contact them directly, or alternatively check the
For information on Northern Ireland, check , and for Scotland, check