England's 2025 school holidays are shaped by a late Easter (20 April) that places Easter school holidays in mid-to-late April โ closer than usual to the May half-term, which typically falls around 26 May.
The gap between Easter holidays and May half-term in 2025 is shorter than average โ approximately 3โ4 weeks depending on the school โ making the summer term feel compressed between two holiday periods.
Summer holidays: England's ~6-week summer break typically runs from late July to early September. Academy schools may vary slightly. The Summer Bank Holiday (25 August) falls within most summer breaks.
October half-term: Usually the last week of October โ often 27โ31 October โ coinciding with Halloween. A popular week for family activities and short breaks.
Christmas break 2025: With Christmas Day on a Thursday and Boxing Day on a Friday, most schools will run Christmas holidays from approximately 20 December 2025 to 5โ7 January 2026 โ giving children the long bank holiday weekend without any additional school days needed.