Proposed school term and holiday dates for community and voluntary controlled schools 2027/28

Background

School term and holiday dates are set by local authorities for community and voluntary controlled schools and maintained nursery schools as per Section 32 of the Education Act 2002. The legal requirements are that:

• schools must open for at least 380 sessions (190 days) each academic year
• the school year must begin after July
• schools are also required to set five INSET (training) days each year

Term dates and holiday dates for foundation, trust and voluntary aided schools, free schools and academies are decided on by their governing bodies.

In West Berkshire, we require the schools we maintain to:

• be open for 194 scheduled days each academic year
• have one fixed INSET day at the start of the Autumn Term
• decide how to use the remaining four INSET days

Before setting term and holiday dates for the coming year, we consider:

• the needs of pupils, families, and school staff
• aligning dates with neighbouring local authorities, for example Reading, Wiltshire, where possible
• the length and balance of half terms
• the timing of public holidays, including Easter and May bank holidays
• the potential impact on attendance, childcare and family life

Currently all neighbouring authorities propose a one week October half-term. Within West Berkshire, only Kennet School and its academy trust primary Schools operate a two-week October half-term, using INSET days within the holiday period.

What we are proposing

For the 2027/28 academic year, we're considering the advantages and challenges of three different options for term and holiday dates.

Option 1

Aligns with Hampshire and Wiltshire and includes, one week October half-term, earlier Easter break and two balanced six-week terms in spring.

This option may suit families living either within or outside West Berkshire who have children attending schools both inside and beyond the local authority area.

Autumn Term 2027

• Starts: Wednesday 1 September 2027 (INSET day)
• Ends: Friday 17 December 2027
• Half-term: 25-29 October 2027 (one week)

Spring Term 2028

• Starts: Tuesday 4 January 2028
• Ends: Friday 31 March 2028
• Half-term: 14-18 February 2028

Summer Term 2028

• Starts: Tuesday 18 April 2028
• Ends: Friday 21 July 2028
• Half-term: 29 May - 2 June 2028

Option 2

Aligns with Reading, Oxfordshire, and Wokingham and includes, one week October half-term, later Easter break, and an uneven spring term (seven weeks before Easter, five weeks after)

This option may suit families living either within or outside West Berkshire who have children attending schools both inside and beyond the local authority area.

Autumn Term 2027

• Starts: Thursday 2 September 2027 (INSET day)
• Ends: Friday 17 December 2027
• Half-term: 25-29 October 2027 (one week)

Spring Term 2028

• Starts: Tuesday 4 January 2028
• Ends: Friday 7 April 2028
• Half-term: 14-18 February 2028

Summer Term 2028

• Starts: Monday 24 April 2028
• Ends: Friday 21 July 2028
• Half-term: 29 May - 2 June 2028

Option 3

Schools would have to place their four remaining INSET days within school holidays. It includes a two-week October half-term, later Easter break, and an uneven spring term (seven weeks before Easter, five weeks after)

Additional Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme support may be necessary to cover the two-week October half-term, which may place pressure on working and low-income families.

All surrounding areas have proposed a one-week October half-term.

This option might not be adopted by Academy, Foundation, or Voluntary Aided schools, which could lead to challenges for parents managing differing term schedules.

Autumn Term 2027

• Starts: Thursday 2 September 2027 (INSET day)
• Ends: Friday 17 December 2027
• Half-term: 18-29 October 2027 (two weeks)

Spring Term 2028

• Starts: Tuesday 4 January 2028
• Ends: Friday 7 April 2028
• Half-term: 14-18 February 2028

Summer Term 2028

• Starts: Monday 24 April 2028
• Ends: Friday 21 July 2028
• Half-term: 29 May - 2 June 2028

Why we'd like your views

We want to know which is your preferred option and why. Please also tell us:

• if you are a responding as a parent, school or other
• any impacts (positive or negative) that the option may have on you or your family
• any other relevant comments you wish to make

When responding to the consultation, you may wish to think about:

• how important alignment with neighbouring local authorities is for your family
• the impact of longer or shorter half terms on:
  • childcare arrangements
  • family finances
  • child wellbeing and learning
• the effect of a two-week October break on working families
• the potential for different schools operating different calendars
• impact on teachers and school management

How to take part

If you'd like to take part, please click on the green 'Take Part' button below. This will take you through to our survey, which is open until midnight on Wednesday, 24 June 2026, and should take about five minutes to complete.

Take Part

If you have any questions about the survey, please email educationconsultation@westberks.gov.uk

For general enquiries about school admissions, please visit our webpage.

What happens next

All responses will be reviewed and considered before a final decision is made by Councillor Heather Codling (Portfolio Holder for Children and Family Services) by Wednesday, 15 July 2026.

The agreed term dates will then be published and shared with schools by Wednesday, 22 July 2026.