For my American friends, summer vacation has been on for weeks now. Meanwhile, my daughter is entering her last week of school prior to summer break here at the end of July. School breaks in the UK can be a shock when you first move your child from the US to the UK, but I’ve become a fan of the system here. This guide to school breaks in the UK vs the US will help you be prepared for the differences.
School Days per Year
British schools have a reputation for being tough and you might be thinking kids are just in school longer here. As with most things in the US, how big a difference there is in school days per year will depend on the state. US school years average between 160 and 180 days per year. 180 is the most common days requirement.
Meanwhile in the UK, schools are in session for 190 days per year in England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland is an exception with a requirement of 200 days per year.
The overall amount of schooling will not feel so different if you move from a US state with 180 school days per year to England’s 190 days per year. What will feel very different is how the school year runs across the calendar year.
Summer Holidays
This time of year is where you will see the largest difference in UK vs US school breaks. In the US, most schools let out for summer break in May or June. The new school year will then usually begin in August. Summer break is typically 10-11 weeks long in the US.
The date when school lets out for summer holidays in the UK is set locally. In our local Southern England schools, summer break begins near the end of July. The new school year typically starts early in September. As a result, summer break here is only about 6 weeks.
While the benefits and potential learning losses from extended summer breaks have been debated for ages, I personally find it much more manageable as a parent. With both myself and my husband working full-time when my daughter was little, I can remember having an excel spreadsheet dedicated to remembering which camp she’d attend each week for 2.5 months. With American-sized paid vacation balances, we rarely took more than 1 week off for vacation.
Three Terms vs Semesters
School breaks in the UK vs the US are also influenced by how the school year is broken up. While it can vary, US schools use the semester system to define the school year most often. This is divided into a Fall semester from August until December, and a Spring semester from January to May or June.
Most schools in the UK follow a trimester system, usually described as 3 “terms” per school year. The Autumn term will run from September to December. Next, the Spring term from January to April. Finally, the summer term from late April through to school end in late July.
The main difference I’ve noticed in these systems is that the semester is more of a marathon punctuated by long breaks at Christmas and Summer, whereas the trimester terms in the UK are shorter sprints with many smaller breaks along the way.
Mid-year Breaks
Speaking of those smaller breaks, the UK provides a half-term week off in the middle of each term during the school year. Half-term breaks typically fall in October, February and April. By comparison, the US typically gives a few days off for Thanksgiving and a week off in March or April for Spring Break.
When I first moved to the UK in 2014, I was surprised to discover my daughter had a week off in October. That was certainly not the norm back in the US. She was in Reception at the time (similar to pre-K), so I had to scramble to find care coverage last minute while I was studying and my husband was at work. Now that I know to expect it, I like to plan travel during this week if I can.
At the end of each term in December, April and July, there is a longer break. December and April breaks usually coincide with Christmas and Easter and are about 2 weeks each. July marks the 6 week summer break start.
December school break in the UK is very similar to the US for timing. The two weeks in April coinciding with Easter conveniently overlaps with a bank holiday weekend for grown-ups too, making the longer stretch a bit more manageable.
Public Holidays
The UK has 8 bank holidays each year, which are days off for both children from school and adults from work. Meanwhile, the US has 13 federal holidays per year. This may be a surprise for Americans who assume the UK provides much more time off.
The number of holidays does not tell the whole story, of course. US federal holidays and some state holidays are often break days for school, but there are several that are unobserved by private employers.
Camps and Childcare During Breaks
Things can look a bit different when you’re working and need to secure childcare during a school break in the UK vs the US. The US has a massive industry around providing summer camps and activities. That is not true at the same level in the UK.
While “American-style” sleepaway camps are increasingly advertised here, day camps do not go by that name. Most primary schools have on-site childcare hosted through a local business during the summer holiday weeks. This will be like camps hosted at American schools. Just note the terminology difference.
Tips for Tourists and Expats Planning a Trip
June is a great time to visit the UK from the US. The weather is more likely to be warm and local students will still be in school. Keep in mind that school trips are common this month, though, so you may see large student groups at some tourist sights.
June can be a good time to see local areas in regular mode. This is helpful for potential expats visiting before committing to an offer to move here. The UK does not have a summer slowdown the way some EU countries do, but it’s common for families to holiday during the school break.
More on UK Schools
For more on how to pick the right school for your child in the UK, see my guide here.
