UK School Holidays 2024: Dates & Travel Tips

A school year is divided into three terms in the United Kingdom. School holidays are decided by the local council in each UK nation. It is necessary to learn about the specific calendar when planning a family trip with school-age children. This passage will discuss UK school holidays 2024 in different UK nations, how long is summer break in UK, and some useful tips for holiday plans.

UK School Half Term Dates 2024

Most schools in the United Kingdom follow a three-term-per-year model. The half-term refers to a short break, which lasts for up to one week in the middle of a term (known as a semester) while there is a longer holiday at the end of each term. The half-term break usually falls in February, May and October. The exact dates are determined by the education departments of each jurisdiction and they might be different every year. Here is the UK half term in 2024.

UK School Holidays England 2024

School holidays in England and Wales are set by local education authorities (LEAs). It announces the dates for each term and holiday at the beginning of each academic year (running from September to July). The England school holidays for 2024 have been published.

UK School Holidays Wales 2024

According to the Welsh Government Services and Information website, there are 6 holidays in 2024. Approved dates are listed below.

UK School Holidays Scotland 2024

Scottish term dates and school holidays might differ slightly among the 32 council areas, but they all consist of three terms and six breaks.

UK School Holidays Northern Ireland

Schools in Northern Ireland are usually open for 200 days. Sometimes they might close for staff training or extreme weather, which makes the dates for school semesters and holidays different every year. Unlike other UK countries, Northern Ireland canceled the summer half-term, and the general school holidays in 2024 are scheduled as follows.

UK Bank Holidays 2024

Bank holidays refer to a weekday when the banks are off by law, which is usually the same as the public holiday. As transactions cannot be carried out while the banks close on these days, some organizations are also closed, including schools. Here is the bank holidays in the United Kingdom in 2024.

Things to Do in the Summer Holidays

As we can see from the schedule above, the summer holiday is the longest holiday in a school year, which is a perfect time for the whole family to kick back and enjoy the summer. No matter when you are seeking to take an adventure or explore some leisure activities, these tips will help you spend an unforgettable summer.

• Visit historical, cultural, and artistic sites.

Museums and art galleries are popular among kids. Some of them hold interesting interactive events and special exhibitions during summer holidays. Kids can not only have fun but also broaden their horizons. For example, you can take kids to visit Tate Modern, or the Natural History Museum, or popular seaside towns like Brighton, Cornwall, or Whitby for a classic British beach experience.

• Play with water.

Water activities are a must in summer. Kids will be excited if they can play on the beach, go swimming, go crabbing, or play in a water park. It will be fun even to have a water fight in the backyard. Enjoy sunbathing, building sandcastles, swimming, or trying out water sports like surfing or paddleboarding.

• Head out into nature.

Exploring nature can improve concentration, cultivate creativity, and boost health. It is recommended to bring children to take a fresh breath in a local garden, go hiking, go geocaching, visit an animal farm or botanical garden, etc.

• Attend a summer festival

The UK is home to some world-famous festivals and events, such as music festivals, concerts, and sports events. It will exciting to enjoy a wonderful performance with a group of people in the summer. You can attend famous music festivals such as Glastonbury, Reading, or Leeds for live performances.

• Take a local tour.

It’s a popular choice to travel around the country with the whole family. Kids will be obsessed with the Hamleys toy store, Shrek’s Adventure London, London Zoo, the Warner Bros Studio Tour in Watford, and so on.

• Learn some new skills or start a hobby.

Summer vacation is also a time for intellectual and physical development. Some children master new skills and gain more knowledge when returning to school after a holiday. It is suggested to dig out what your child loves and teach them some new things, such as singing, dancing, playing an instrument, or playing football, etc.

• Travel abroad.

Long school breaks are a favorable time to take your kids to travel abroad. In this case, you will enjoy richer cultures and lifestyles. UK citizens can travel to hundreds of countries and territories without a visa, which makes your trip easier. Please note that minors must have their own passport as well.

📢Read Also: UK Passport Visa Free Countries 2024

Do I Need Permission to Take Child Abroad UK

Yes. The British government is committed to cracking down on international child abduction. Therefore, parental consent is required while taking a child abroad. The permission can be issued by parents, legal guardians, or a court. It should include the non-accompanying parent’s contact information, date of departure from and return to the UK, duration of stay outside the UK, and other necessary details.

Tips for Travelling Abroad with Children

Travelling abroad with children involves a series of preparations, including obtaining required traveling documents and making a thorough travel plan. These tips will help you.

• Check the Passports

A child’s passport usually has shorter validity than an adult’s, so it is important to make sure your and your child’s passports are valid for at least 3-6 months depending on where you are travelling to. Otherwise, you are supposed to renew it or apply for a new one. Supposing that you will travel soon only to find that your travel document has expired, you can request “1 week fast track service” with extra fees.

• Comfort Your Child During the Journey

Kids are easily getting bored or frustrated during a long journey on an airplane, train, or car. Young children might lose their temper, cry, or scream. It is necessary to prepare some family games, snacks, and toys to amuse and comfort them.

• Take Care of the Child’s Health

Kids might be unaccustomed to the climate and food of a new place, thus getting sick or feeling uncomfortable. Pharmacies and hospitals are not always available during your trip. It is advised to take some basic medicines, a first-aid kit, and the EHIC medical card (if any). You should also be familiar with the child’s health condition and history before traveling if you don’t usually live with him/her.

• Check the Airline’s Requirements

Most airlines have their own rules and regulations on boarding with a baby or child. Infant fares might be added to an adult’s ticket or charged at a fixed amount. Some might provide travel cots at extra cost. You should also ask the airline about the amount of free luggage allowance and child-friendly service if you bring a baby carriage or booster seats.

• Purchase Travel Insurance

Traveling insurance is essential, especially when traveling with a child. It should be valid during your whole trip outside the country, covering lost luggage, plan adjustments, unexpected illness, and accidents.

Conclusion

UK school holidays in 2024 are set by each country’s local council. British half-terms range from 2 to 7 days while British summer holidays range from 1 to 2 months. To enjoy a happy and memorable holiday, it deserves well planning and arrangement. We hope our tips will help you no matter when you are traveling domestically or abroad.