Surrey two-week half term plan is dropped for 2027

A plan for a two-week autumn half term break for more than 70 schools in Surrey will not happen next year, after concerns about the impact were raised by headteachers.

The half term in October 2026 is being extended by a week for community and voluntary controlled schools, after Surrey County Council (SCC) decided to make a change.

But in the 2027/28 academic year, it will go back to being a one-week holiday.

In a statement, SCC said the shorter break was deemed "better for children's learning and attendance, as well as for the wellbeing of staff and students".

Previously, Clare Curran, the former SCC Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning council, said there was a "clear appetite" for a two-week half term, after schools and families were asked for their views in a 2024 opinion survey.

It was also decided that five days would be taken away from the summer holiday.

But in another survey in April, headteachers from community and voluntary controlled schools overwhelmingly supported reverting back to a one-week October half term.

Children being more tired and less likely to learn in a longer summer term, problems with attendance in the last week before the summer holidays, and staff and pupil wellbeing affected by a longer summer term and a shorter summer holiday were among the concerns that were raised.

It was also felt that a two-week half term in the autumn would disrupt children in reception, as they would have just settled into a new school.

Prof Lee Elliot Major, from the University of Exeter, who is one of the authors of a report suggesting that school summer holidays should be shortened, said: "At a time when we are increasingly concerned about educational inequality, holiday hunger and the rising cost of childcare, it makes sense to revisit assumptions about the school year.

"The six-week summer holiday was designed for a very different era.

"The evidence suggests there are educational benefits to a shorter summer break, particularly for children who are most at risk of falling behind.

"The broader question of whether our school calendar remains fit for modern society is one that deserves continued debate."

Other state schools in Surrey, including academies, free schools, foundation and voluntary aided schools, are able to set their own term dates, so it will be up to them as to whether they follow the SCC ones.

Helyn Clack, SCC Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning, said: "Surrey County Council seeks the views of all school and settings in Surrey each year when determining academic term dates.

"While feedback received in 2025 pointed towards a preference for a two-week autumn half term, as reflected in the 2026/27 academic year term dates, it was clear from feedback obtained in spring 2026 that schools wanted the option to revert to a one-week autumn half term. 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 determined dates for the 2027/28 academic year for community and voluntary controlled schools therefore have a one-week autumn half term, with the summer term shortened by one week to accommodate this."

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