What’s changing?
From September 2026, community and voluntary controlled schools in Surrey will have a two-week autumn half term. To make this change, five days will be taken from the summer holiday in July 2027.
- The school year will still have 195 days, including 5 INSET days.
- This change only applies to community and voluntary controlled schools, but other schools are encouraged to follow the same dates.
Academic year 2026 to 2027
Autumn term 2026
- Start of term: 1 September
- Half term: 19 to 30 October
- End of term: 18 December
Spring term 2027
- Start of term: 4 January
- Half term: 15 to 19 February
- End of term: 25 March
Summer term 2027
- Start of term: 12 April
- Half term: 31 May to 4 June
- End of term: 28 July
Why is this changing?
- In 2024, Surrey County Council asked schools and families for feedback on a longer autumn break.
- 60% of schools and the majority of residents supported a two-week half term.
- The change aligns with what some other schools and councils are already doing.
See the full survey results on Citizen Space
Important to know
- These dates apply to community and voluntary controlled schools.
- Other schools (like academies and free schools) set their own dates but are encouraged to align with these for consistency.
