Website of the UK government

School term dates

Find the term dates for your child's school

• Find out school term dates Opens new window

State school term dates and holidays are decided by the local authority or the governing body of the school. Independent schools set their own term dates, which may vary from state schools in the same area.

To find out term dates for your child’s school, follow the link below and enter the postcode of your child’s school. This will take you the website of the relevant local authority.

• Find out school term dates Opens new window

• Term dates and school holidays

Childcare after school

If you will be needing childcare for your child after school, the link below may also be useful. Type in your postcode to get contact details for schools near your home, including links to schools' websites. Tab between the results and you will also find information about childcare services in the area.

• Find schools and Sure Start Children's Centres Opens new window

Getting to school

Apply for home to school travel support

• Apply for school travel support Opens new window

If your child lives a distance away from their school, they may be entitled to free school transport.

Otherwise there are a number of ways to make sure they get to school safely, such as 'walking buses' and 'bike trains'.

Free school transport

Local authorities have to provide free transport where they decide it is necessary to make sure that a child goes to school. In most cases, it's up to the local authority to decide what transport is necessary. Your child will be automatically entitled to free transport if both of the following apply:

• they are between five and sixteen years old
• they go to the nearest suitable school, and the school is further away than the 'statutory walking distance' – two miles for under eights, or three miles for pupils aged eight and over 

• Apply for home to school travel support Opens new window

• Free home to school transport

Search for safe routes to school in your area

• Safe routes to school Opens new window

Walking and cycling safely to school

'Walking buses' and 'bike trains' help children walk or cycle to school safely with adult supervision. They are a sustainable alternative to transport by car, bus or train, and help keep children healthy.

• Search for safe routes to school near you Opens new window

• Bikeability Opens new window

Help with school uniform costs

Apply for help with the cost of school uniform

• Apply for help with school clothing costs Opens new window

If you are on benefits or a low income, you could be entitled to help with the cost of school uniform.

This could be in the form of clothing grants or vouchers from your local authority.

To find out if your local authority offers help with the cost of school uniforms, follow the link below.

• Apply for help with school clothing costs Opens new window

• School uniform

Free school meals

Apply for free school meals

• Apply for free school lunches Opens new window

Parents don't have to pay for their child's school meals if they receive any of the following:

• Income Support
  
• income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
  
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  
• the Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
  
• Child Tax Credit, provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income (as assessed by HM Revenue & Customs) that does not exceed £16,040
  
• Working Tax Credit during the four-week period immediately after their employment finishes or after they start to work less than 16 hours per week
  

Children who receive Income Support in their own right also qualify for free school meals.

• Apply for free school lunches Opens new window

• Nutrition and school lunches