Term Dates for West Northamptonshire schools for the 2026-27 academic year

Closed 6 Jan 2025

Opened 9 Dec 2024

Contact

SchoolAdmissionsConsultation@westnorthants.gov.uk

Feedback updated 13 Mar 2025

We asked

From 9 December 2024 to 6 January 2025, we carried out our annual statutory consultation on Term Dates for West Northamptonshire schools for the 2026-27 academic year.

The consultation aimed to gather feedback on the proposed term dates for Community and Voluntary Controlled schools in the area. The consultation sought to ensure that the term dates were suitable for students, parents, and staff, considering holidays, bank holidays, and the timing of Easter. Suggestions included considering the impact of the proposed dates on family plans, school events, and overall educational outcomes, and ensuring that the dates aligned well with other local schools to limit disruptions. 

You said

Four responses were received. 

Three responses declared they were happy with the proposed dates and the fourth stated they were happy with the proposed dates but would also support an option for the half term in February to move a week earlier in order for the Easter holiday to straddle the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

We did

All responses were considered before term dates were published on 13 February 2025. The dates published were as per those proposed in the consultation.

For a full list of the determined term dates, please see our dedicated schools Term Dates website page. 

Overview

West Northamptonshire Council is now consulting on proposed term dates for Community and Voluntary Controlled schools for the 2026-27 academic year.

The consultation will run from Monday 9 December 2024 to Monday 6 January 2025.

Please note that Academies, Free, Foundation and Voluntary Aided schools can set their own term dates, although they may choose to adopt those used by the local authority.

There are no major structural changes proposed to the school year with the autumn half term week proposed for the end of October and the Spring half term week for the middle of February as is usually the case. Due to Easter falling earlier than usual at the end of March, the 2 week Easter break will follow the Easter weekend.

The proposed term dates are as follows:

Autumn term 2026

Term is from Tuesday 1 September to Friday 18 December 2026.

  • Half term holiday: Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October 2026,
  • Christmas holiday: Monday 21 December 2026 to Friday 1 January 2027,  
  • Bank holidays: Friday 25 December 2026, Monday 28 December 2026 and Friday 1 January 2027.

Spring term 2027

Term is from Monday 4 January to Thursday 25 March 2027.

  • Half term holiday: Monday 15 February to Friday 19 February 2027,
  • Easter holiday: Friday 26 March to Friday 9 April 2027,
  • Bank holidays: Friday 26 March and Monday 29 March 2027.

Summer term 2027

Term is from Monday 12 April to Wednesday 21 July 2027.

  • Half term holiday: Monday 31 May to Friday 4 June 2027,
  • Summer holiday: Thursday 22 July to Tuesday 31 August 2027,
  • Bank holidays: Monday 3 May, Monday 31 May and Monday 30 August 2027.

The total number of pupil days includes five days to be selected by schools as INSET/Teacher Training days: 

  • Pupil days: 190 school days,
  • Teacher days: 195 school days. 

The previously agreed term dates (for 2024-25 and 2025-26) can also be viewed on our website.

Interests

  • Consultations
  • Schools and education