The teaching timetable
The variety of life as a teacher, with new experiences and challenges every day, is a key factor in making it the enjoyable career it is. Even the more predictable elements of how your days and weeks are structured will vary according to the school you work in.
Most schools in England and Wales operate a three-term school year, with an extended summer break. Term dates vary from school to school but the following rough guide should give you an idea of what to expect:
| Autumn term |
September-December |
| Mid/half-term holiday |
Late October/early November (one week) |
| Christmas holiday |
Last week December and first week January (two weeks) |
| Spring term |
January-March |
| Mid/half-term holiday |
Late February (one week) |
| Easter holiday |
Late March/early April, subject to the changing date of Easter |
| Summer term |
April-July |
| Mid/half-term holiday |
Late May/early June (one week) |
| Summer holiday |
Mid-late July and all of August (six weeks) |
Some schools divide the school year into five or six terms of equal length, with more, but shorter, holidays in between. Depending on the outcome of official reviews, this kind of system may become more common in the coming years.
Whichever system is in use, however, all schools must open for 190 days a year. As a teacher, your statutory conditions of service will require you to work an additional five days, which will be devoted to in-service education and training.
Inset days are an important part of your continuing professional development as a teacher. Usually taking place at the beginning and end of terms, they give headteachers an opportunity to bring all their staff together at the same time to work at developing individual skills and the quality of the school overall.
