The school year starts in September. There are 195 school days in each year (39 weeks). Pupils spend 190 days (38 weeks) in school; 5 of those days are reserved for training teachers and support staff—commonly known as INSET days.
Here are the full list of Birmingham school holidays and term dates. Remember, while most schools follow the Birmingham Council term dates, academy schools and free schools sometimes set their own, so it is always worth checking directly.
Birmingham School Holidays and Term Dates
Below is the official holiday schedule for schools following Birmingham City Council dates. This includes the autumn term, spring term, and summer term across multiple academic years.
School Year 2025 to 2026
Autumn Term 2025
- Term starts: Monday 1 September 2025
- October half term: Monday 27 October 2025 to Friday 31 October 2025
- Term ends: Friday 19 December 2025
Spring Term 2026
- Term starts: Monday 5 January 2026
- February half term: Monday 16 February 2026 to Friday 20 February 2026
- Term ends: Friday 27 March 2026
Summer Term 2026
- Term starts: Monday 13 April 2026
- May half term: Monday 25 May 2026 to Friday 29 May 2026
- Term ends: Monday 20 July 2026
School Year 2026 to 2027
Autumn Term 2026
- Term starts: Tuesday 1 September 2026
- October half term: Monday 26 October 2026 to Friday 30 October 2026
- Term ends: Friday 18 December 2026
Spring Term 2027
- Term starts: Monday 4 January 2027
- February half term: Monday 15 February 2027 to Friday 19 February 2027
- Term ends: Thursday 25 March 2027
Summer Term 2027
- Term starts: Monday 12 April 2027
- May half term: Monday 31 May 2027 to Friday 4 June 2027
- Term ends: Wednesday 21 July 2027
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Get in TouchSchool Year 2027 to 2028
Autumn Term 2027
- Term starts: Thursday 2 September 2027
- October half term: Monday 25 October 2027 to Friday 29 October 2027
- Term ends: Friday 17 December 2027
Spring Term 2028
- Term starts: Tuesday 4 January 2028
- February half term: Monday 14 February 2028 to Friday 18 February 2028
- Term ends: Friday 7 April 2028
Summer Term 2028
- Term starts: Monday 24 April 2028
- May half term: Monday 29 May 2028 to Friday 2 June 2028
- Term ends: Friday 21 July 2028
Check More: England School Holidays
Birmingham School INSET Days 2025-2026
While the Birmingham City Council sets the main school holidays, they do not always set the specific teacher training days for every school. These school closure dates are decided by individual headteachers. However, these are the most common dates used by foundation schools and voluntary aided schools. We always recommend you contact schools directly to confirm term dates and INSET days.
| School | Typical INSET Days (2025-2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Most Community Schools | 1–2 September 2025 | Start of autumn term staff training |
| Varied by Academy | 4–5 January 2026 | Pre-spring term planning days |
| Varied by School | Late July 2026 | End of term staff development |
Explore Official UK Public Holiday Dates
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View UK Public HolidaysA Guide to Birmingham School INSET Days
If you are new to the UK school system, you might wonder what an INSET day actually is. These are days when pupils do not attend school, but training teachers and support staff are at work planning and learning. They are sometimes called teacher training days.
For parents in Birmingham, this affects school attendance and childcare plans. Because academies and free schools manage their own budgets, they often pick different days than community schools. That is why you might see different school breaks even for neighbors living on the same street.
Also Check: UK School Holidays
FAQs
Do academies in Birmingham follow the same term dates?
No, not always. Academies and free schools are encouraged to follow the council dates but are legally allowed to set their own.
How many school days are there in a Birmingham school year?
There are 195 days in the academic year, but pupils attend for 190 of them. The other 5 are INSET days.
Are Birmingham school holidays the same for all year groups?
Yes, the holiday schedule for term starts and term ends is the same for all mainstream primary and secondary pupils.
Why do some schools close for different February half terms?
This usually happens because the school is an academy or has chosen a different pattern of school days to suit local needs.
Where can I find the official Birmingham Council term dates?
You can always check the official Birmingham City Council website for the master school calendar.
Do INSET days count towards school attendance records?
No, because the school is closed to pupils on INSET days, it does not affect individual attendance records.
Useful Resources
For the most authoritative and up-to-date information, please visit the respective council websites.