School Calendar

School calendars vary significantly from country to country, and even within countries. In England, term dates are set by each local authority, meaning a child in Devon and a child in Manchester may have slightly different half-term weeks. In Australia, each state sets its own school calendar, and the academic year runs from late January to December rather than the September-to-July pattern common in the northern hemisphere.

England and Wales

The English school year is divided into three terms: Autumn (September to December), Spring (January to April), and Summer (April to July). Each term is split into two halves by a one-week half-term break, giving six teaching blocks across the year. The summer holiday typically runs for six weeks. Most state schools follow dates set by their local council, though academies and free schools can set their own.

Scotland

Scottish schools follow a broadly similar three-term structure, but the year starts in mid-August rather than September, giving Scottish children an earlier start and a longer summer holiday. The two-week October break (sometimes called the tattie holiday, historically used for potato harvests) is a distinctive feature of the Scottish calendar.

Australia

Australian schools run four terms across the calendar year, starting in late January and ending in December. Each term is roughly ten weeks, separated by two-week holiday breaks. Because Australia is in the southern hemisphere, the summer holiday coincides with December and January, and winter falls during Term 3.

Canada

Canadian schools typically run from early September to late June, with a Christmas break in December-January and a March break in the middle of the spring term. Exact dates vary by province and school board. Ontario and British Columbia are the most-searched provinces for school calendar dates.

India

The CBSE academic year runs from April to March, making it different from most English-speaking countries. Schools have a long summer break in May-June (to avoid peak heat), then run through the monsoon and winter seasons. State boards and private schools often follow their own schedules, so dates can vary significantly by school.