The school summer holidays are in sight with many children and teachers counting down the days until they have a long break.

After two May bank holidays and a week off for half-term, pupils and staff are in the final stretch before the end of the academic year.

For some, there are still the final GCSE, A’level or Higher exams to get through.

But for the rest, it is a chance to consolidate and reflect on a year of learning before moving up or moving on to new schools.

Meanwhile, parents have a matter of weeks to prepare.

Here’s a rundown of the term dates ahead.

When do the summer holidays begin?

School term dates differ according to local authority in England and Wales. To see the term dates in your area, enter your postcode into the Government website here and it will direct you to the relevant page on your council’s site.

For Scotland’s school term dates, check the government website here and it will direct you to the relevant local authority page.

And for Northern Ireland, the Department of Education here provides all the dates for the academic year.

In England and Wales, most schools will break up for the summer towards the end of July.

However, in Scotland the summer break starts much earlier, usually at the end of June.

And in Northern Ireland, the long school holidays begin at the start of July.

When are the school holidays in 2024?

Once again, in England and Wales, term and holiday dates may differ by local authority, but the majority are following this pattern:

Summer term 2024

• Start of term: Monday 15 April 2024
• May day: Monday 6 May 2024
• Half term: Monday 27 May to Friday 31 May 2024
• End of term: Monday 29 July 2024

Autumn term 2024

• Start of term: Monday 2 September 2024
• Half term: Monday 28 October to Friday 1 November
• End of term: Friday 20 December 2024

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Here are the school holiday dates for Scotland:

Summer term 2024

• Start of term: Monday 15 April 2024
• May day: Monday 6 May,2024
• End of term: Friday 28 June 2024

Autumn term 2024

• Start of term: Wednesday 14 August 2024
• Autumn holiday: Monday 16 September 2024
• Mid-term: Monday 14 to Monday 21 October 2024
• End of term: Friday 20 December 2024

Here are the school holiday dates for Northern Ireland:

Summer term 2024

• Start of term: Friday 5 April 2024
• May day: Monday 6 May 2024
• End of term: Friday 28 June 2024

Autumn term 2024

• Start of term: Monday 2 September 2024
• Halloween: Thursday 31 October to Friday 1 November 2024
• End of term: Friday 22 December 2024