When do schools break up for Christmas? UK holiday and term time dates
CHRISTMAS is just a matter of weeks away and parents across the UK will be looking forward to spending quality time with their children.
But when are schools breaking up for the Christmas break? Here's all you need to know.
When do schools break up for Christmas?
Term dates for state schools are decided by your local council so the last day of the Winter term depends on where you live.
Academies can choose their own term dates as they are outside local authority control.
Most councils in England are following the same calendar.
Schools in Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester will shut their doors after class on Friday, December 18, and reopen on Monday January 4.
In Liverpool, London and Newcastle, schools will also close on December 18.
Not all children will return to school on January 4 due to teacher inset days.
In Scotland, term dates vary from council to council.
Schools in Glasgow will shut at 2.30pm on Tuesday December 22.
Holidays in Edinburgh start from Wednesday December 23, while in Aberdeenshire, the Christmas break starts on Monday December 21.
In Cardiff, Swansea and Newport, schools close their doors on Thursday, December 17, while schools in Anglesey, Conwy and Wrexham remain open until December 22.
Unlike the three other nations, Northern Ireland's schools are more unified when it comes to their term dates.
Schools will be closed between December 22 and reopen on January 4.
Are schools finishing early this year?
It appears unlikely that schools will finish early this year.
The Department for Education swiftly responded and stressed "it remains a national priority to keep schools open full time and avoid further disruption to education".
Despite more than the Government said that schools should not close early or change their holiday timetable.
Last month, Wales' first minister Mark Drakeford said schools must stay open until the end of term.
Teaching unions such as the UCAC, NASUWAT Cymru, and the Association of Schools and College Leaders Cymru have all called for schools to return to remote teaching so coronavirus infections and self isolating over Christmas can be avoided.
The Government resisted calls from teaching unions to shut down schools during the second lockdown in England.
When announcing the lockdown measures on October 31, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "School is the best place for children to be.
"We cannot let the virus damage our children futures more than it already has," he said.
Having already faced down the unions once already, it appears unlikely that Mr Johnson will call for schools to close any earlier than planned.
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What are the UK term dates for 2020/21?
Term dates vary across the UK but are expected to follow this pattern.
- Autumn term (part 2): Monday November 2 - Friday, December 18
- Christmas break: Monday December 21 - Friday, January 1
- Spring term (part 1): Monday, January 4 - Friday, February 12 2021
- Half term: Monday, February 15 - Friday, February 19
- Spring term (part 2): Monday, February 22 - Wednesday, March 31
- Easter break: Thursday, April 1 - Friday, April 16.
- Summer term (part 1): Monday, April 19 - Friday, May 28 (May Day bank holiday on May 3).
- Half term: Monday, May 31 - Friday, June 4
- Summer term (part 2): Monday, June 7 - Friday, July 23.