Practical · Checked against SCC · Updated 19 Oct 2026
Official Suffolk County Council dates for maintained schools — October half term, Christmas, February, Easter, May half term and summer break-up — plus recommended PD (INSET) days. Useful if you live in Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Lowestoft, Felixstowe or anywhere else in the county.
These are Suffolk County Council dates for community and voluntary controlled schools. Academies, free schools and voluntary aided schools can set different calendars and PD days. Always confirm on your child’s school website before booking leave.
Next up for most families: October half term starts Monday 26 October 2026. If your school takes the recommended PD day on Friday 23 October, pupils finish Thursday 22 October.
Holiday windows as published by Suffolk County Council, with the usual break-up day parents need for booking.
| Holiday | Dates | Break-up / return |
|---|---|---|
| October half term 2026 | Mon 26 Oct – Fri 30 Oct 2026 | Last pupil day often Thu 22 Oct if Fri 23 Oct is a PD daySCC recommends PD day Friday 23 October — many families get a nine-day break. |
| Christmas holidays 2026–27 | Sat 19 Dec 2026 – Sun 3 Jan 2027 | Last pupil day Fri 18 Dec 2026SCC recommends PD day Mon 4 Jan 2027 — pupils often return Tue 5 Jan. |
| February half term 2027 | Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 | One full week off |
| Easter holidays 2027 | Fri 26 Mar – Sun 11 Apr 2027 | Last pupil day Thu 25 Mar 2027SCC recommends PD day Mon 12 Apr 2027 — many pupils return Tue 13 Apr. |
| May half term 2027 | Mon 31 May – Fri 4 Jun 2027 | One full week (starts on Spring Bank Holiday) |
| Summer holidays 2027 | From Thu 22 Jul 2027 | Last pupil day Wed 21 Jul 2027Autumn 2027–28 starts Wed 1 Sep 2027 (see preview below). Confirm return with your school. |
Starts Tue 1 Sep 2026
Ends Fri 18 Dec 2026
Half term: Mon 26 Oct – Fri 30 Oct 2026
Starts Mon 4 Jan 2027
Ends Thu 25 Mar 2027
Half term: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027
Starts Mon 12 Apr 2027
Ends Wed 21 Jul 2027
Half term: Mon 31 May – Fri 4 Jun 2027
Source: Suffolk County Council — school term and holiday dates · 2026–27 PDF.
Suffolk recommends five PD days. Pupils usually do not attend. Schools can choose different days — treat this as the county default, not a guarantee.
If your school follows these: first pupil day of autumn is often Wednesday 3 September 2026; first pupil day after Christmas is often Tuesday 5 January 2027; first pupil day after Easter is often Tuesday 13 April 2027.
Already published by the council — useful if you plan further ahead:
Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October 2026 for Suffolk County Council maintained schools. Suffolk recommends a PD (INSET) day on Friday 23 October, so many pupils finish on Thursday 22 October and get a longer break. Academies may differ — check your school.
The autumn term ends Friday 18 December 2026. Christmas holidays are Saturday 19 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. Monday 4 January 2027 is a recommended PD day, so pupils often return on Tuesday 5 January.
Friday 26 March to Sunday 11 April 2027. The spring term ends Thursday 25 March. Monday 12 April is a recommended PD day, so many pupils return Tuesday 13 April.
The summer term ends Wednesday 21 July 2027 for maintained schools. The next academic year (2027–28) starts Wednesday 1 September 2027 on the county calendar.
Community and voluntary controlled schools follow Suffolk County Council. Most academies in Ipswich, Bury, Lowestoft and elsewhere follow the same pattern, but they legally can set their own calendars and PD days. Always use your school’s published dates before booking holidays.
Professional Development (PD) days are staff training days when pupils do not attend. Maintained schools set five per year inside the 195-day calendar (190 teaching days). Suffolk publishes recommended dates; schools can move them.
Try Ipswich Fit’s holiday programmes, the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) scheme for eligible families, local leisure centres, and school wraparound clubs. See the links further down this page.
Dates checked against Suffolk County Council’s published 2026/27 and 2027/28 calendars on 2026-10-19. Not an official government publication — verify with your school before making plans.