Extra Day Off Alert! Brits Kick Back on Summer Bank Holiday
Millions of folks in the UK are basking in an unexpected day off today, August 28, all thanks to the summer bank holiday. Not even the so-so weather can rain on this parade!
Families with school-bound kiddos are squeezing every last drop out of the summer holidays. Heads up, parents – the next half term is just around the corner. Brace yourselves!
Now, get ready for a 2023 holiday guide that’ll sort out your plans and keep you in the loop about upcoming school holidays. Let’s dive in!
Long Weekend Drought
After getting an extra day to celebrate King Charles III’s reign this year, England and Wales have only two more bank holidays lined up. The next breather falls on Monday, December 25 (Christmas Day) and Tuesday, December 26 (Boxing Day).
Don’t fret, though. The wait won’t be too agonizing, since the regular New Year’s Day holiday is just under a week after that.
Here are the dates to mark on your calendars for next year:
- Monday, January 1: New Year’s Day
- Friday, March 29: Good Friday
- Monday, April 1: Easter Monday
- Monday, May 6: Early May bank holiday
- Monday, May 29: Spring bank holiday
- Monday, August 26: Summer bank holiday
- Wednesday, September 25: Christmas Day
- Thursday, December 26: Boxing Day
When’s the Next Playtime?
While kids across the UK are savoring their last drops of the six-week summer break, parents are breathing sighs of relief. Childcare superheroes, rejoice!
As the Autumn 2023 term chugs along, don’t worry, little scholars. Another round of school holidays is on its way in October.
Hold up, there’s no one-size-fits-all rule here. Each local area has its own term dates, but there are common trends across England and Wales.
Keep scrolling for a sneak peek at the next batch of school holidays for state schools.
England’s Play Dates
England is like a patchwork quilt of 152 local authorities, each calling the shots on term dates for their turf.
For the scoop on when your neighborhood is taking a timeout, hit up the government website and plug in your postcode. It’ll magically whisk you away to your local authority’s page with all the dates you need. Easy peasy.
Although autumn half term usually falls around Monday, October 23 to Friday, October 27 for many places, check with your school for specifics. And when Santa starts warming up the sleigh, most English schools will break for Christmas on December 21.
Just a heads-up: some schools might sneak in teacher-training days at the start or end of term. Sneaky, right?
Wales’ Breather
Over in Wales, young learners are kicking back during their Autumn half term from Monday, October 30 to Friday, November 3, according to the Welsh government. For the nitty-gritty on when your kid’s school is calling it a day, jump straight to their website.
You guessed it – Welsh schools also often break for Christmas around December 21. Great minds think alike!
Scotland’s Term Tango
Now, Scotland decided to strut into school earlier than its neighbors, and they’ve got their own dance of term dates.
The Scottish Government’s word? “Term and holiday dates vary across the country.” No kidding! In Highland and Moray, for instance, you might find schools in recess from Monday, October 9 to Friday, October 20. Angus Council’s early birds get to rest from Monday, October 2 to Friday, October 13.
Christmas break, though? A harmony among Scotland’s schools. It usually kicks off on December 25 and wraps up on January 5, 2024.
Just to be sure, double-check with your school or council for the official scoop on term times.
Northern Ireland’s Playbook
Across the Irish Sea, the Northern Ireland Department of Education gets to call the shots on school holidays.
Kiddos who marched back to school on Friday, September 1, catch a mini break for Halloween on Monday, October 30, and Tuesday, October 31.
The big one, though, is Christmas. Schools close up shop on Friday, December 22, and the kids are off the hook till Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
Here’s a heads-up: schools can sprinkle in staff training and development days, and these can vary. So, keep an eye out for those surprise days off!
Now, armed with this holiday guide, you’re ready to tackle those vacation plans like a boss. Enjoy your time off, and remember – you’ve got this! 😉