October Half Term 2026 UK
The statutory October half term for the 2026/2027 academic year in England and Wales predominantly takes place from Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October 2026. Pupils break up on Friday 23 October and return to class on Monday 2 November 2026.
Regional Splits & Council Exceptions
While over 85% of English councils mandate the standard 5-day break, select local authorities (such as Leicestershire and parts of Yorkshire) traditionally schedule an alternative week or offer two-week autumn breaks. Scottish schools observe their autumn mid-term break earlier in October.
Documented Authority Variations:
Traditionally operates an earlier autumn break (third week of October) compared to the national consensus.
Aligns with national consensus, though multiple multi-academy trusts in Rugby and Warwick set an additional INSET training day on Friday 23 October.
Family Holiday Pricing & Travel Strategy
Flight prices and domestic UK cottage rentals peak by 65–120% during this week. Families booking Center Parcs, Haven, or overseas flights can secure off-peak rates if their specific local authority or academy operates a 2-week autumn holiday or starts a week earlier.
Check neighbouring council boundaries in our Council Comparator to verify if your child can travel during an adjacent county’s term time.
Avoid Absence Fines
Planning to take a few extra days off around October Half Term 2026? Calculate statutory liabilities under the DfE £80/£160 framework.
Calculate Penalty FinesMulti-Council Comparator
Check whether your children’s schools in neighbouring boroughs take different weeks for October Half Term 2026.
Compare Councils Side-by-SideCommunity and voluntary-controlled schools follow Local Authority published dates. Academies, voluntary-aided schools, and free schools possess statutory autonomy to set individual dates and INSET training days.
Local Authority Breakdown for October Half Term 2026
Review dates across key UK local education authorities. Click any council to view full term dates, INSET days, and 1-click `.ics` calendar sync:
| Council | Nation & Region | Break Schedule | Calendar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coventry City Council | england (West Midlands) | Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026 | View → |
| Birmingham City Council | england (West Midlands) | Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026 | View → |
| Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council | england (West Midlands) | Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026 | View → |
| Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council | england (West Midlands) | Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026 | View → |
| Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council | england (West Midlands) | Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026 | View → |
| Walsall Council | england (West Midlands) | Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026 | View → |
| City of Wolverhampton Council | england (West Midlands) | Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026 | View → |
| Warwickshire County Council | england (West Midlands) | Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026 | View → |
| Worcestershire County Council | england (West Midlands) | Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026 | View → |
| Staffordshire County Council | england (West Midlands) | Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026 | View → |
| Stoke-on-Trent City Council | england (West Midlands) | Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026 | View → |
| Shropshire Council | england (West Midlands) | Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026 | View → |
| Telford & Wrekin Council | england (West Midlands) | Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026 | View → |
| Herefordshire Council | england (West Midlands) | Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026 | View → |
| London Borough of Barnet | england (London) | Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026 | View → |
| London Borough of Camden | england (London) | Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026 | View → |
| Royal Borough of Greenwich | england (London) | Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026 | View → |
| London Borough of Hackney | england (London) | Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026 | View → |
| London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham | england (London) | Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026 | View → |
| London Borough of Islington | england (London) | Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026 | View → |
| Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea | england (London) | Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026 | View → |
| London Borough of Lambeth | england (London) | Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026 | View → |
| London Borough of Lewisham | england (London) | Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026 | View → |
| London Borough of Southwark | england (London) | Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026 | View → |
Frequently Asked Questions
When is October half term 2026 in the UK?
For the majority of UK maintained schools, October half term 2026 begins on Monday 26 October and ends on Friday 30 October 2026. Pupils finish classes on Friday 23 October and return on Monday 2 November 2026.
Do all UK schools have the same October half term?
No. While over 85% of local authorities follow the consensus week (26–30 Oct), academies, multi-academy trusts (MATs), and private schools set their own term dates. A growing number of academy trusts now operate a two-week October half term to curb autumn pupil and teacher burnout.
Can you be fined for taking a holiday during October half term?
You cannot be fined for holiday taken during official school holiday dates. However, taking unauthorised absence directly preceding or following the half term (e.g. extending the break into term time) triggers the DfE statutory £80 fine under the 10-session penalty framework.
When is Scotland’s autumn mid-term break in 2026?
Scottish school holidays are set independently by each of Scotland’s 32 local councils. Most Scottish authorities schedule their autumn break earlier, typically across mid-October (e.g., 12–16 October or 19–23 October 2026).