There are 6 main Down School Holidays and Term dates during the academic year, including the Halloween break, mid-term break, Easter holidays, May Day holiday, Spring Bank Holiday, and summer holiday. The official school calendar for Northern Ireland also includes the St Patrick’s Day holiday, autumn half-term, and spring half-term breaks for pupils.
This page to Down School Holidays explains the full NI school holiday calendar, including staff training days, school development days, teacher training days, and other pupil holidays. Since some dates may vary because of school discretion, parents should review updates from the Education Authority NI and individual schools for the latest information.
Down School Holidays 2025/2026
The table below shows Down School Holidays and term dates for the 2025/2026 academic year. Schools may adjust these at their own discretion.
| Event | Dates (inclusive) |
|---|---|
| Schools resume after summer holiday | 1 September 2025 |
| Halloween break | 30 & 31 October 2025 |
| Christmas & New Year | 22 December 2025 – 2 January 2026 |
| Mid-term break | 12 & 13 February 2026 |
| St Patrick’s Day holiday | 17 March 2026 |
| Easter holidays | 2 April – 10 April 2026 |
| May Day holiday | 4 May 2026 |
| Spring Bank Holiday | 25 May 2026 |
| Summer holiday begins | 1 July 2026 |
Down School Holidays 2026/2027
Here are the planned Down School Holidays and term dates for the 2026/2027 academic year.
| Event | Dates (inclusive) |
|---|---|
| Schools resume after summer holiday | 1 September 2026 |
| Halloween break | 29 & 30 October 2026 |
| Christmas & New Year | 21 December 2026 – 1 January 2027 |
| Mid-term break | 11 & 12 February 2027 |
| St Patrick’s Day holiday | 17 March 2027 |
| Easter holidays | 25 March – 2 April 2027 |
| May Day holiday | 3 May 2027 |
| Spring Bank Holiday | 31 May 2027 |
| Summer holiday begins | 1 July 2027 |
Need Accurate UK Public Holiday Information?
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Down School Holidays 2027/2028
While the official NI school holiday calendar for 2027/2028 is not yet finalised, County Down term dates typically follow this pattern:
- Start of academic year: 1 September 2027
- Halloween break: late October 2027
- Christmas break: mid-December 2027 – early January 2028
- Mid-term break: mid-February 2028
- St Patrick’s Day: 17 March 2028
- Easter break: late March – early April 2028
- May Day & Spring Bank Holiday: first & last Monday in May 2028
- Summer holiday starts: 1 July 2028
Why Pupils Do Not Attend on These Days
Pupils do not attend school on these dates for two main reasons:
- Public & bank holidays Northern Ireland – These are statutory days off for all schools.
- School discretion for holiday dates – Each school can schedule breaks to match local needs, teacher training, or religious observances like St Patrick’s Day.
This flexibility means individual school circumstances may shift a holiday by a day or two.
Staff Training and School Development Days
In addition to the dates above, schools schedule staff training days and school development days (often called INSET days). On these days:
- Pupils do not attend
- Teachers plan, train, and improve the curriculum
These days are not listed in the main tables because each school chooses different dates. Always check your school’s website for their exact teacher training days.
Explore Official UK Public Holiday Dates
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Also Check: Northern Ireland School Holidays
FAQs
Are Down School Holidays the same for every school in County Down?
No. Schools have school discretion to adjust dates slightly based on individual school circumstances.
Do pupils attend school on St Patrick’s Day in Down?
No. St Patrick’s Day is a bank holiday Northern Ireland, so all schools are closed.
What is the difference between a mid-term break and an autumn half-term?
The mid-term break is in February (spring half-term). The autumn half-term is the Halloween break in October.
Do teacher training days count as pupil holidays?
Yes – pupils do not attend, so they are effectively pupil holidays, though teachers work.
Are May Day and Spring Bank Holiday the same thing in Down?
No. May Day is the first Monday in May. Spring Bank Holiday is the last Monday in May. Both are public holidays Northern Ireland.
Useful Resources
For the most accurate dates, always check the official council website.