Purpose

Community and voluntary controlled schools in Surrey will have a one-week autumn half term in academic year 2027/28.

To make this change, five days will be added to the summer holiday in July 2028.

• The academic year will still have 195 days, including 5 INSET days.
• This change only applies to community and voluntary controlled schools, but other schools and settings are encouraged to follow the same dates.

Academic year 2027 to 2028

Autumn term 2027

• Start of term: 1 September
• Half term: 25 to 29 October
• End of term: 21 December

Spring term 2028

• Start of term: 4 January
• Half term: 14 to 18 February
• End of term: 31 March

Summer term 2028

• Start of term: 18 April
• Half term: 29 May to 2 June
• End of term: 19 July

Decision

It was AGREED that:

1. For academic year 2027/28 beginning in September 2027, community and voluntary controlled schools in Surrey will have a one-week autumn half term.
2. To make this change, five days will be added to the summer holiday in July 2028.
3. The start and end of term dates for community and voluntary controlled schools in Surrey as set out above will be adopted.

Reasons for the decision

Reasons for Decision:

• In April 2026, Surrey County Council asked community and voluntary controlled schools for feedback on their preference between retaining a two-week October half term in academic year 2027/28 or reducing October half term to one week and shortening the summer term by one week.
• 80% of schools who responded supported a one-week half term and a longer summer holiday.
• School leaders commented that this option was better for children’s learning and attendance, as well as for the wellbeing of staff and students.
• The proposed dates for the 2027/28 academic year align with the end of the academic year for other schools and settings in Surrey.

Alternative options considered

For the council to maintain a two-week autumn half term for community and voluntary controlled schools in Surrey, in line with the approach taken for the 2026/27 academic year.