Planning school terms, holidays and events ahead
Term dates, INSET days and events land in the same few weeks every year. Planning them ahead turns a scramble into a calm, coordinated family calendar.
On this page
The school year is one of the most predictable things in family life — which is exactly why planning it ahead pays off. Everything you need is published in advance.
Get ahead of the year
- 1Get the term datesFrom your council or school (they’re set locally in England). Add all of them at the start of the year.
- 2Add the INSET daysThe training days that catch parents out. They vary between schools — check yours specifically.
- 3Book time off and childcare earlyWith the dates visible, you can plan holidays and cover before the good slots go.
In short
School terms, INSET days, holidays and events are all published ahead — the stress comes from reacting late. Put them on one shared calendar early, from your local council or school, and you can plan childcare, time off and holidays calmly instead of scrambling.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find my school’s term dates?
Term and holiday dates in England are set by the local council or the school itself, so check your council’s website or the school directly. GOV.UK links to local term-date information. Don’t assume neighbouring schools match — INSET days in particular vary.
What are INSET days and why do they catch people out?
INSET (teacher training) days are days school is closed to pupils but not part of the normal holidays. They’re easy to miss because they vary between schools, so a child is off when a parent expected them in school — plan them in early.
Sources & last checked
- School term and holiday dates — GOV.UK
Last checked against official sources: 10 July 2026.