Are There School Holidays in November? UK Term Dates, Scottish Breaks & Off-Peak Travel Rules
November is traditionally the longest continuous teaching period in English and Welsh schools, with no statutory half terms. However, Scottish local authorities schedule St Andrew’s Day holidays and local Inset training days, while thousands of English families look into off-peak November travel. This guide explains November school schedules, penalty fine thresholds, and regional holiday differences.
Key Takeaways for UK Families
- In England and Wales, there is NO statutory half term in November; pupils attend classes continuously between October half term and Christmas.
- In Scotland, several councils observe official school closures for St Andrew’s Day (30 November) and dedicated November staff development Inset days.
- November represents the lowest off-peak travel pricing window of the autumn term, leading to high search intent for parents evaluating unauthorized absence fines versus £1,000+ holiday savings.
- Taking unauthorized term-time leave in November triggers the statutory £80/£160 Department for Education fine if absence exceeds 10 sessions (5 days).
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1. Is There a November Half Term in the UK?
No statutory November half term exists in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland. The autumn half term occurs in late October (usually the final full week). November is a full four-week instructional block leading directly up to the Christmas school holidays in mid-to-late December.
2. Scotland: St Andrew’s Day & Local Inset Long Weekends
In Scotland, the situation is different. Under the St Andrew’s Day Bank Holiday (Scotland) Act 2007, 30 November is an official bank holiday. Multiple Scottish local councils (such as Glasgow City, Fife, and Highland) combine staff Inset training days with St Andrew’s Day, creating a scheduled 3-day or 4-day long weekend for pupils at the end of November.
Always check your specific Scottish local council calendar. While Edinburgh schools might hold Inset days in mid-November, western councils frequently observe the St Andrew’s Day closure.
3. Off-Peak November Travel vs School Penalty Fines
Because November has no national school breaks, airlines, Center Parcs, and Mediterranean resorts slash prices by 60% to 75% compared to October half term or Christmas. Many parents search whether taking a five-day November holiday makes financial sense despite fines. Under the 2024 DfE National Framework, an unauthorized 5-day holiday triggers a £80 fine per parent, per child (£320 for a two-parent, two-child household), rising to £160 if unpaid within 21 days.
Fines are recorded against parents on a national 3-year rolling tracking register. A second unauthorized holiday within 3 years incurs a non-discountable £160 fine, while a third offence leads to Magistrates’ Court prosecution.
4. How Many Weeks from November Until Christmas School Holidays?
From the first Monday in November, there are typically 7 teaching weeks (35 school days) until schools break up for the two-week Christmas holiday (usually around 18–21 December).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do schools have any days off in November in England?
There are no statutory national holidays in England in November. However, individual academy trusts and schools frequently schedule one of their five annual teacher training (INSET) days on a Friday or Monday in November.
Is St Andrew’s Day a school holiday in the UK?
St Andrew’s Day (30 November) is an official bank holiday only in Scotland. Whether schools close depends on each Scottish local council’s calendar, with many scheduling a pupil holiday or Inset day.
Why are holidays in November so much cheaper?
November is an off-peak shoulder season with lower seasonal temperatures across Europe and zero statutory school breaks in England, resulting in significantly lower demand and cheaper airline and accommodation rates.