When do kids go back to school after summer? 2023 school holiday and term dates

It'll be over before you know it! Here's when kids go back to school after the summer holidays.

Get ready to stock up on the best school shoes and other back to school supplies, because while it might feel like the kids have only just broken up from school for the summer, every parent knows that there's a lot to get ready before they return for the new academic year.

And 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 start of the new school 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, as well as upcoming school holiday term dates for the start of the academic year.

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

Children in England and Wales return to school after the summer holidays on either Monday 4 September or Tuesday 5 September 2023, depending on their local council. Meanwhile, pupils in Northern Ireland return to school on Friday 1 September, while school resumes in Scotland on Wednesday 16 August.

The reason for the differing dates across the UK is that schools across the UK break up for the summer holidays at different times. While pupils in England and Wales began the summer term on 17 April and broke up on 21 July, pupils in Scotland finished school for the summer on 29 June, while students in Northern Ireland started their summer on June 30.

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 Irland can find term dates via the Department of Education website.

When do secondary schools go back?

Like primary schools, community secondary schools in England and Wales go back on 4 and 5 September 2023. 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 on during the summer.

Meanwhile, here on Goodto we've shared 8 family-friendly ways to get free food, and this one word will get you two free crumpets at Morrisons Cafes this summer. 

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:

• Summer holidays: Monday 24 July - Friday 1 September
• Term 1: Monday 4 September - Friday 20 October
• Autumn half term: Monday 23 October - Friday 27 October
• Term 2: Monday 30 October - Friday 15 December

Check individual school term dates in England here.

Term dates in Wales:

• Summer holidays: Monday 24 July - Friday 1 September
• Term 1: Monday 4 September - Friday 20 October
• Autumn half term: Monday 23 October - Friday 27 October
• Term 2: Monday 30 October - Friday 15 December

Check individual school term dates in Wales here.

Term dates in Scotland:

• Summer holidays: Thursday 29 June - Tuesday 15 August
• Term 1: Wednesday 16 August - Friday 6 October
• Half term: Monday 16 October - Friday 20 October
• Term 2: Monday 30 October - Thursday 21 December

Check individual school term dates in Scotland here.

Term dates in Northern Ireland:

• Summer holidays: Friday 30 June - Thursday 31 August
• Term 1: Friday 1 September - Friday 27 October
• Halloween break: Monday 30 & Tuesday 31 October
• Term 1 continued: Wednesday 1 November - Thursday 21 December

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 2023 too. 

In the past, the summer holidays has 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 staring the new term on a Monday meant pupils had an extra week off. 

If you found this article interesting, here on Goodto we've got loads more content as part of Back to School month. 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.