We understand that Surrey schools will be adopting a new two-week-long half-term-break in the autumn term, starting in the 2026/27 academic year. Surrey County Council surprised many bypassing a new law. One of its goals is to achieve greater alignment of term dates for all community and voluntary controlled schools in the county.
The new timetable will be phased in starting with the academic year 2026/27, as explained on the Surrey County Council website. This move comes after an 11-week period of public consultation, where there was a strong desire from local schools for an extended autumn half-term. About 60% of the 3,775 respondents were in favor of the two-week break, 30% were against it, and 10% were still undecided.
Clare Curran, the SCC Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning, emphasized the feedback from both schools and families. She said the amendments were a reaction to an increasing nationwide dialogue about the length of the school year.
“This work is in response to the national conversation regarding school term times, and the feedback received by the council from schools, school staff, and families regarding the challenges of differing term dates.” – Ms Curran
Curran said that was the intended purpose of the new system. It intends to help foster greater collaboration between the council, schools and multi-academy trusts to establish a clearer pattern of term dates across Surrey.
The school year consists of 195 days, even including their two-week autumn break. This total counts five inset staff training days. It means a shorter summer break in 2026/27. This amendment allows for these extra five days, which are included in the extended autumn half-term.
Nationally, around one in ten state funded schools have already implemented a two-week autumn half-term. The SCC’s decision marks a widespread escalation. More and more, schools are trying to align their calendars to ease the burden on families faced with the challenges of juggling two separate term dates.
