When do kids go back to school after the Christmas holidays? 2024 school holiday and term dates

The key dates that you’ll want to pop on your calendar

Brother and sister going to school on winter day
(Image credit: Getty Images)

If your kids have already played with all their new toys and are starting to feel bored, you’ll want to know when kids go back to school after the Christmas holidays.

If they’ve had a sudden growth spurt you’ll want to get ready to stock up on the best school shoes and other back-to-school supplies - and you might even pick up some in the January sales.

While it might feel like the kids have been at home for an eternity over the festive season, every parent knows there's a lot to prepare before they return for 2024 including how to handle the 'Sunday scaries'.

And for many, with the first day of school looming it's a good idea to make sure you've got the right date in your diary, as the first school start date of the year can vary across the UK. With this in mind, we've shared the all-important back-to-school dates to note in your down and upcoming school holiday term dates for the start of the academic year.

When do kids go back to school after the Christmas holidays?

Children in England and Wales return to school after the Christmas holidays on either Tuesday 2nd January 2024 or Monday 8th January 2024 depending on their local council. Meanwhile, pupils in Northern Ireland returned to school on Tuesday, 2nd January, while school resumes in Scotland on Monday 8th January.

The reason for the differing dates across the UK is that schools across the UK break up for Christmas at different times. Those pupils in England and Wales who broke for the festive period on 15th December have a two-week break which means the children return earlier than those who broke up from school later on the 22nd December.

Term dates can also vary from school to school, so it's advised to check dates with your local council just to be safe. You can do this by putting your postcode into the gov.uk website, or if you live in Scotland you will need to visit mygov.scot. Those in Northern Ireland can find term dates via the Department of Education website.

boy and girl smiling stood in school uniform in front of a brick wall

(Image credit: Getty Images)

When do secondary schools go back?

Like primary schools, community secondary schools in England and Wales go back on January 2nd or January 8th 2024. However, private schools, academies, voluntary aided and foundation schools may have different return dates, so it's important to check with children's individual schools.

For schoolchildren who usually receive free school meals during term time, the UK government have shared advice on how low-income families can receive their food vouchers to help them during the holidays. There are also a number of supermarkets and restaurants nationwide that have special kids eat for free offers during the holidays

Meanwhile, here on Goodto we've shared 8 family-friendly ways to get free food.

2023/24 school holidays and term dates

The following school holiday and term dates for 2023/24 represent the majority of schools, but we always advise checking these dates directly with your child's school.

Term dates in England:

  • Christmas holidays: Monday 18th December - 1st January or Monday 25th December - 5th January
  • Spring Half-term: Monday 12 February - Friday 16th February
  • Easter Holidays: Monday 25th March- Friday 5th April
  • Summer Half-term: Monday 27th May - Friday 31st May
  • Summer holiday: Tuesday 23rd July Monday 24 July - Friday 1 September

Check individual school term dates in England here.

Term dates in Wales:

  • Christmas holidays: Monday 18th December - 1st January
  • Spring Half-term: Monday 12 February - Friday 16th February
  • Easter Holidays: Monday 25th March- Friday 5th April
  • Summer Half-term: Monday 27th May - Friday 31st May
  • Summer holiday: Tuesday 23rd July

Check individual school term dates in Wales here.

Term dates in Scotland:

  • Christmas holidays: Friday 22nd December - 8th January
  • Spring Half-term: Monday 12 February - Friday 16th February
  • Easter Holidays: Monday 25th March- Friday 5th April
  • Summer Half-term: Monday 27th May - Friday 31st May
  • Summer holiday: Tuesday 23rd July

Check individual school term dates in Scotland here.

Term dates in Northern Ireland:

  • Christmas holidays: Friday 22nd December - 8th January
  • Spring Half-term: Monday 12 February - Friday 16th February
  • Easter Holidays: Monday 25th March- Friday 5th April
  • Summer Half-term: Monday 27th May - Friday 31st May
  • Summer holiday: Tuesday 23rd July

Check individual school term dates in Northern Ireland here.

How long is the summer break in the UK?

State schools in the UK typically take a six-week summer holiday, and this is the case in 2024 too. 

In the past, the summer holidays have on occasion been seven weeks long. This was most recently the case in 2020 when the fact that it was a leap year and the tradition of starting the new term on a Monday meant pupils had an extra week off. 

Continue reading...

You might also be interested to find out about back to school traditions or what these parents are looking forward to about their kids going back to school. We've got a back to school shopping guide too and even a round-up of the best back to school jokes.

Ellie Hutchings
Family News Editor

Ellie is GoodtoKnow’s Family News Editor and covers all the latest trends in the parenting world - from relationship advice and baby names to wellbeing and self-care ideas for busy mums. Ellie is also an NCTJ-qualified journalist and has a distinction in MA Magazine Journalism from Nottingham Trent University and a first-class degree in Journalism from Cardiff University. Previously, Ellie has worked with BBC Good Food, The Big Issue, and the Nottingham Post, as well as freelancing as an arts and entertainment writer alongside her studies. When she’s not got her nose in a book, you’ll probably find Ellie jogging around her local park, indulging in an insta-worthy restaurant, or watching Netflix’s newest true crime documentary.

With contributions from