School holidays in Dorset
The next school holiday in Dorset is the October half term: Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October. Summer holidays 2027 in Dorset: Thursday 22 July to Tuesday 31 August.
All school holidays and days off for Dorset.
Upcoming holidays and days off
| Holiday | Period | Days |
|---|---|---|
| October half term | 26 – 30 Oct 2026 | 5 |
| Christmas holidays | 21 – 31 Dec 2026 | 11 |
| New Year's Day | 1 Jan 2027 | 1 |
| Spring half term | 15 – 19 Feb 2027 | 5 |
| Good Friday | 26 Mar 2027 | 1 |
| Easter Monday | 29 Mar 2027 | 1 |
| Easter holidays | 30 Mar – 9 Apr 2027 | 11 |
| May Day Holiday | 3 May 2027 | 1 |
| Spring Bank Holiday | 31 May 2027 | 1 |
| May half term | 1 – 4 Jun 2027 | 4 |
| Summer holidays | 22 Jul – 31 Aug 2027 | 41 |
| October half term | 25 – 29 Oct 2027 | 5 |
| Christmas holidays | 20 – 31 Dec 2027 | 12 |
| New Year's Day (substitute day) | 3 Jan 2028 | 1 |
| Spring half term | 14 – 18 Feb 2028 | 5 |
| Easter holidays | 3 – 13 Apr 2028 | 11 |
| Good Friday | 14 Apr 2028 | 1 |
| Easter Monday | 17 Apr 2028 | 1 |
| May Day Holiday | 1 May 2028 | 1 |
| Spring Bank Holiday | 29 May 2028 | 1 |
| May half term | 30 May – 2 Jun 2028 | 4 |
| Summer holidays | 24 Jul – 31 Aug 2028 | 39 |
Dates are taken from official publications. Schools may have additional days off, so check with your school if in doubt.
Source: Official source (Dorset). Last checked: 20 May 2026. More about our sources
School holidays in Dorset this school year
In the 2026-2027 school year, schools in Dorset have 5 school holidays, adding up to 72 days off including weekends.
The summer holidays in Dorset run from Thursday 22 July to Tuesday 31 August.
Do these dates apply to your school?
The dates on this page are the council's term dates. They apply to community and voluntary-controlled schools, and many academies and other schools follow them too. Schools that set their own term dates, such as academies, free schools and independent schools, may differ. Every school also has a few INSET days of its own, so always check your school's website or newsletter.
Frequently asked questions
When are the summer holidays in Dorset?
In 2027, from Thursday 22 July to Tuesday 31 August.
How many days of school holidays does Dorset have in 2026-2027?
72 days including weekends, spread over 5 holidays.
Do these dates apply to every school in Dorset?
They apply to schools that follow the council's term dates. Academies, free schools, foundation and voluntary-aided schools can set their own dates, so check with your child's school.