UK Multi-Academy Trust Term Dates (2026/2027)
Over 80% of English secondary schools and 40% of primaries are academies that set their own term dates. Discover schedules, 2-week October half-terms, and INSET policies for England’s top 10 academy trusts.
Why Academy Calendars Differ from Council LEA Schedules
Under the Academies Act 2010, academies are state-funded independent schools funded directly by the Department for Education rather than local borough councils. They are legally free to vary their term dates and school day hours, provided they deliver 190 teaching days (380 sessions) per academic year.
Trusts like Harris Federation schedule a 2-week October half-term to prevent autumn illness and burnout, compensating with earlier September returns or adjusted summer terms.
Academies set their own 5 teacher training days, frequently placing them adjacent to bank holidays or at the start of the September term.
United Learning
Headquarters: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire • Regions: London, South East, North West, Yorkshire, Midlands
United Learning is the largest multi-academy trust in the UK, operating over 90 state academies and independent schools across England. Calendars are tailored by regional school clusters.
Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026 (1 week with academy-specific INSET extensions)
2027: Monday 25 October – Friday 29 October 2027
Monday 21 December 2026 – Friday 1 January 2027 (Return Monday 4 Jan)
Statutory 2-week winter closure
Friday 26 March 2027 – Friday 9 April 2027
2 weeks spanning Good Friday & Easter Monday
REAch2 Academy Trust
Headquarters: Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire • Regions: West Midlands, East of England, London, South East
REAch2 is the largest primary-only academy trust in England, operating 60 primary schools. The trust emphasizes early years phonics and primary foundation learning.
Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026
2027: Monday 25 October – Friday 29 October 2027
Monday 21 December 2026 – Friday 1 January 2027
Statutory 2-week winter closure
Friday 26 March 2027 – Friday 9 April 2027
2 weeks spanning Good Friday & Easter Monday
Harris Federation
Headquarters: Croydon, Greater London • Regions: Greater London, Essex
The Harris Federation is one of the highest-performing multi-academy trusts in England, running 54 primary and secondary academies across London. Renowned for its innovative two-week October half term.
Monday 19 October – Friday 30 October 2026 (2 Full Weeks)
2027: Monday 18 October – Friday 29 October 2027 (2 Full Weeks)
Monday 21 December 2026 – Friday 1 January 2027 (Return Monday 4 Jan)
Statutory 2-week winter closure
Friday 26 March 2027 – Friday 9 April 2027
2 weeks spanning Good Friday & Easter Monday
Oasis Community Learning
Headquarters: London (Lambeth) • Regions: North West, Yorkshire, West Midlands, London, South West, South East
Oasis Community Learning operates 52 academies across 21 UK local authorities, delivering inclusive community-based education with national iPad 1:1 learning initiatives.
Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026
2027: Monday 25 October – Friday 29 October 2027
Monday 21 December 2026 – Friday 1 January 2027
Statutory 2-week winter closure
Friday 26 March 2027 – Friday 9 April 2027
2 weeks spanning Good Friday & Easter Monday
Delta Academies Trust
Headquarters: Wakefield, West Yorkshire • Regions: Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, North East
Delta Academies Trust manages 50 primary and secondary schools across Yorkshire and the East Midlands, known for rapid educational transformation in coastal and post-industrial communities.
Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026
2027: Monday 25 October – Friday 29 October 2027
Monday 21 December 2026 – Friday 1 January 2027
Statutory 2-week winter closure
Friday 26 March 2027 – Friday 9 April 2027
2 weeks spanning Good Friday & Easter Monday
The Kemnal Academies Trust (TKAT)
Headquarters: Bromley, Greater London • Regions: London, Essex, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire
The Kemnal Academies Trust is a prominent South East trust spanning 45 primary and secondary schools across London, Kent, Sussex, and Essex.
Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026
2027: Monday 25 October – Friday 29 October 2027
Monday 21 December 2026 – Friday 1 January 2027
Statutory 2-week winter closure
Friday 26 March 2027 – Friday 9 April 2027
2 weeks spanning Good Friday & Easter Monday
Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT)
Headquarters: Birmingham, West Midlands • Regions: West Midlands, East of England, North West, Yorkshire
Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT) is a not-for-profit MAT running 43 schools across England, dedicated to raising aspirations and social mobility in non-selective secondary education.
Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026
2027: Monday 25 October – Friday 29 October 2027
Monday 21 December 2026 – Friday 1 January 2027
Statutory 2-week winter closure
Friday 26 March 2027 – Friday 9 April 2027
2 weeks spanning Good Friday & Easter Monday
Outwood Grange Academies Trust (OGAT)
Headquarters: Wakefield, West Yorkshire • Regions: Yorkshire, North East, East Midlands
Outwood Grange Academies Trust is renowned for high academic standards and strict discipline across secondary and primary schools throughout the North of England.
Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026
2027: Monday 25 October – Friday 29 October 2027
Monday 21 December 2026 – Friday 1 January 2027
Statutory 2-week winter closure
Friday 26 March 2027 – Friday 9 April 2027
2 weeks spanning Good Friday & Easter Monday
Ark Schools
Headquarters: London (Holborn) • Regions: Greater London, Birmingham, Portsmouth, Hastings
Ark Schools is an international charity and educational trust operating 39 non-selective state academies in London, Birmingham, Portsmouth, and Hastings. Known for outstanding university progression.
Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026
2027: Monday 25 October – Friday 29 October 2027
Monday 21 December 2026 – Friday 1 January 2027
Statutory 2-week winter closure
Friday 26 March 2027 – Friday 9 April 2027
2 weeks spanning Good Friday & Easter Monday
E-ACT
Headquarters: London • Regions: North, Midlands, London, South West
E-ACT operates 38 state academies across England, emphasizing holistic character education, pupil mental health, and community hub learning.
Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026
2027: Monday 25 October – Friday 29 October 2027
Monday 21 December 2026 – Friday 1 January 2027
Statutory 2-week winter closure
Friday 26 March 2027 – Friday 9 April 2027
2 weeks spanning Good Friday & Easter Monday
Top 10 English Multi-Academy Trusts Comparison (2026/2027)
Summary comparison of England’s largest MATs by school count, October half-term policy, and primary geographical focus:
| Multi-Academy Trust | Total Schools | Primary Regions | Autumn Half Term Policy | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Learning | 95 | London, South East | Regional Trust Discretion | Peterborough, Cambridgeshire |
| REAch2 Academy Trust | 60 | West Midlands, East of England | 1-Week Standard Break | Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire |
| Harris Federation | 54 | Greater London, Essex | 2-Week October Break | Croydon, Greater London |
| Oasis Community Learning | 52 | North West, Yorkshire | 1-Week Standard Break | London (Lambeth) |
| Delta Academies Trust | 50 | Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands | 1-Week Standard Break | Wakefield, West Yorkshire |
| The Kemnal Academies Trust (TKAT) | 45 | London, Essex | 1-Week Standard Break | Bromley, Greater London |
| Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT) | 43 | West Midlands, East of England | 1-Week Standard Break | Birmingham, West Midlands |
| Outwood Grange Academies Trust (OGAT) | 41 | Yorkshire, North East | 1-Week Standard Break | Wakefield, West Yorkshire |
| Ark Schools | 39 | Greater London, Birmingham | 1-Week Standard Break | London (Holborn) |
| E-ACT | 38 | North, Midlands | 1-Week Standard Break | London |
Frequently Asked Questions: Multi-Academy Trust Term Dates
How can I confirm my child’s specific academy term dates?
While multi-academy trusts publish overarching trust-wide framework dates, individual academies retain authority over teacher training (INSET) days and transition days. Always check your specific academy’s parent portal (such as Arbor, Bromcom, or ParentPay) or the "Term Dates" tab on your academy's individual website.
Do academy teachers work fewer days if the school takes a 2-week October break?
No. By statutory law under the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD), all full-time teachers must be available for work for 195 days (190 teaching days plus 5 INSET days). Trusts that offer two weeks in October make up the time either by finishing the summer term slightly later, returning earlier in September, or lengthening the school day.
Does a local council fine apply if an academy authorises absence?
Under UK law, only headteachers (not the local council) hold the legal authority to grant or refuse leaves of absence. If an academy headteacher authorises your absence in writing under exceptional circumstances (Code C), no fine can be issued by the council.