Decision Maker: Director: Education and Skills

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: June 5, 2025

Purpose: Bristol City Council (BCC) is responsible for setting the school term and holiday dates for all Community and Voluntary Controlled schools in the city. Academies have the freedom to determine their own but often choose to align with the Local Authority (LA). LA maintained schools must open for 380 sessions, the equivalent of 190 days. BCC usually intends to find continuity with our neighbouring LAs; South Gloucestershire, Bath and North East Somerset, and North Somerset. This was not possible for 2026/2027 so Bristol proposed two options for consultation which were considered the most suitable dates taking into account various factors including; the working commitments of Bristol families, consistency in the length of each term and the avoidance of unauthorised absence, particularly during the summer term. Around five hundred Bristol children are educated in state schools in our neighbouring LAs. The majority of these of primary school age travel to South Gloucestershire whereas most secondary school age children travel to North Somerset.

Content: The term dates for 2026/2027 will be: Term 1From: 03 Sept 2026 To:23 Oct 2026(37 Days) Term 2From: 02 Nov 2026To:18 Dec 2026(35 Days) Term 3From: 04 Jan 2027To:12 Feb 2027(30 Days) Term 4From: 22 Feb 2027To:25 Mar 2027(24 Days) Term 5From: 12 Apr 2027To:28 May 2027(34 Days) Term 6From: 07 Jun 2027To:23 Jul 2027(35 Days) Total - 195 School Days*