With Halloween and Bonfire Night celebrations coming to an end, Christmas preparations and holiday planning can finally begin.
While the pandemic led to last year’s festive celebrations being cancelled for thousands of families across the UK, this year is currently set to go ahead as planned.
School holidays vary between countries in the UK, as well as slight differences in certain regional local authorities and schools.
Following the October half-term break , school children have a stretch of several weeks before the next holiday.
So, when is school finishing for the year and how long will children be off for?
When are the Christmas school holidays in 2021?
Schools around the UK will be breaking up for the Christmas holidays on different dates throughout December 2021.
England
Most schools across England will be breaking up for the Christmas holidays on Friday, December 17, 2021.
However, some boroughs may end the 2021 school year on Monday, December 20.
Children are likely to return to school in 2022 on Monday, January 3 or Tuesday, January 4.
Check the exact date your child’s school is due to break up using the government’s checker .
Wales
Like England, schools across Wales are likely to begin the Christmas holiday break on Friday, December 17, 2021.
Again, students will be heading back to school in early January, 2022, with dates varying between Monday 3 or Tuesday 4.
Dates can be confirmed using the Welsh government postcode checker .
Scotland
Schools in Scotland have holiday dates that vary from those in England and Wales, with the Christmas break due to start on Tuesday, December 21 or Wednesday, December 22.
While schools in Scotland finish later, pupils are likely to enjoy a shorter week upon returning in 2022. The new term is due to start on Tuesday, January 4, or Wednesday, January 5.
The dates are also likely to differ between local councils across the country, so use the holiday date checker for Scotland to confirm when your child will be finishing their Winter term.
Northern Ireland
As long as government advice remains the same in Northern Ireland, the Christmas holidays will begin on Thursday, December 23, 2021, at all schools in the country.
Students will then return to school on Monday, January 4, 2022.
How long are children off during the Christmas holidays?
While the exact dates are different depending on the school and country, children across the UK tend to get two weeks off for the Christmas holidays.
This excludes school children in Northern Ireland, who will get 11 days off in total.
