School Term 2026: Key Dates for Ireland & UK Schools

Few things cause more calendar juggling for parents than school term dates, especially when they differ between countries. In Ireland, schools close for Christmas on 22 December 2026 and reopen on 6 January 2027 — but the picture varies across the UK and even within it.

Irish schools close for Christmas 2026: 22 December 2026 ·
Irish schools reopen after Christmas: 6 January 2027 ·
Northern Ireland schools resume after summer 2026: 1 September 2026 ·
Easter holidays 2026 (Northern Ireland): 3–17 April 2026 ·
October mid-term break 2026 (sample Irish school): 27–31 October 2026

The table below summarises the key dates derived from official sources for a quick overview.

What are the school terms in Ireland?

The Irish school year for primary and post-primary schools is set by the Department of Education, but individual boards of management can adjust term dates within a framework. The most reliable way to know exact dates is to check your school’s calendar or the government’s Citizens Information (Irish government information service) page.

What are the Irish school holidays for 2026?

For the 2026 calendar year, Irish schools will observe these key holidays based on official guidance:

• Christmas break: schools close on 22 December 2026 and reopen on 6 January 2027 (Citizens Information).
• Easter holidays: typically two weeks in March/April, but exact dates vary by school. The break often includes the week before and after Easter Sunday (5 April).
• October mid-term: many schools schedule a week off in late October — for example, St. Clare’s Primary School in Dublin has 27–31 October 2026 as its mid-term break (St. Clare’s Primary School (sample school calendar)).
• Summer holidays begin in late June 2026, with the exact date set by each school.

When does the 2026 school year start in Ireland?

The official start date for the 2026/2027 school year in Ireland has not been published by the Department of Education as of early 2025. However, a typical pattern from previous years suggests most primary and post-primary schools begin in late August or the first week of September. Parents should watch for updates from the Department of Education (Irish education authority) and their local school.

When is the October mid-term break in 2026 in Ireland?

Many Irish schools schedule the October mid-term break during the last week of October. For example, St. Clare’s Primary School lists 27–31 October 2026 (St. Clare’s Primary School sample calendar). Other schools may choose a slightly different week, so it is essential to check the specific calendar for your child’s school.

The implication: Irish school holidays follow a consistent government framework but individual schools enjoy flexibility on exact dates for mid-term and Easter. Parents should always verify with their own school.

What are the UK school holidays for 2026?

School term dates in the UK are set at the country level, meaning England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland each have their own schedules. The UK government advises parents to GOV.UK (UK government information) check with their local council or school for exact dates. The most detailed official information for 2026 comes from Northern Ireland.

What are the half-term dates for 2026 in England?

English school holiday dates are not centrally published for all schools, but many schools follow a common pattern. According to community-sourced calendars from Labels4School UK (school supplies retailer, based on aggregated school data), the commonly listed half-term breaks for England in 2026 are:

• February half term: 16–20 February 2026
• May half term: 25–29 May 2026
• October half term: 26–30 October 2026

These dates are indicative; individual schools may vary by a few days. For Northern Ireland, the Department of Education (Northern Ireland) provides official holiday dates, including:

• Summer break ends: schools resume 1 September 2026.
• Halloween (mid-term) break: 29–30 October 2026.
• Christmas break: 21 December 2026 – 1 January 2027.
• Easter break: 3–17 April 2026.

What this means: For parents in Northern Ireland, official dates are directly available from the Department of Education. For those in other UK nations, checking local council or school websites remains the only reliable method.

What date are the Easter holidays in 2026?

Easter Sunday 2026 falls on 5 April. School holidays around Easter typically last two weeks, covering the period before and after Easter Sunday. For Northern Ireland, the official Easter break is 3–17 April 2026 (Department of Education (Northern Ireland)). In Ireland, many schools schedule their Easter break during the same window, but specific dates vary by school. For example, the popular online resource Schooldays.ie (Irish parent resource) notes that schools often close for the two weeks around Easter. England’s commonly listed Easter holiday is 30 March – 10 April 2026 (Labels4School UK).

The trade-off: Because Easter falls early in April, some schools may align their break with the Easter weekend, while others may take a separate spring break later. Always check your child’s individual school calendar.

What are the term dates for term 2 2026?

The term “term 2” can have different meanings depending on the school system. In Ireland and the UK, the second term typically begins after the Christmas break, around early January 2026.

What is the resumption date for 2nd term 2026?

• Ireland: Schools reopen after Christmas on 6 January 2027 — but that is for term 2 of the 2026/2027 academic year. For the calendar year 2026, term 2 of the 2025/2026 academic year started in early January 2026 (most Irish schools resumed around 6 January 2026 based on the Christmas closure pattern).
• UK (Northern Ireland): Schools resumed after the Christmas break on 5 January 2026 (the Monday following the holiday period).
• Nigeria: According to user-submitted information, the second term of the 2025/2026 academic year resumed in January 2026. However, no official source has been verified for this date.

The pattern: Term 2 resumption across these three regions consistently falls in the first week of January, but parents must confirm exact dates with their specific school or local education authority.

What date is mid-term 2026?

Mid-term breaks in 2026 are not a single date but vary by region and often have a second break in February or May.

• Ireland: The October mid-term break is commonly 27–31 October 2026 (sample from St. Clare’s Primary School). Many Irish schools also have a February mid-term break in mid-February (dates vary) and a May mid-term break — St. Clare’s lists 5–8 May 2026.
• Northern Ireland: The Halloween (mid-term) break is 29–30 October 2026 (Department of Education (Northern Ireland)). February half term is 12–13 February 2026 (Expatica (expat guide, citing NI Department of Education)).
• England: Half-term dates are not official but commonly listed as 16–20 February for February half term, 25–29 May for May half term, and 26–30 October for October half term (Labels4School UK).

Why this matters: For parents planning long weekends or short breaks, mid-term dates are critical. A one-day difference can mean an unauthorised absence.

For Irish and Northern Irish parents, the 2026 school calendar is largely set with confirmed dates for Christmas, Easter, and the October break. The biggest unknown is the start of the Irish school year — and for English, Scottish, and Welsh parents, the absence of centralized official dates means the burden falls on individual school checks. The implication is clear: bookmark your school’s website and check it quarterly, because a missed date could cost a holiday or trigger an unauthorised absence.