BCP schools break for October half term on 26 October and for Christmas on 18 December. Every 2026/27 date, plus the INSET days and three schools that differ.
BCP Council’s October half term runs from Monday 26 to Friday 30 October 2026, and the autumn term ends on Friday 18 December. The Christmas holiday is 21 December to 3 January, and schools go back on Monday 4 January 2027. Schools can set their own dates and add five training days, so the ones below are the council’s pattern, not a promise from your school.
The quick answer
- October half term: 26 to 30 October 2026
- Christmas holiday: 21 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, with the autumn term ending on Friday 18 December
- February half term: 15 to 19 February 2027. The summer holiday starts on 22 July 2027
BCP Council term dates 2026/27
| Term or holiday | Dates |
|---|---|
| Autumn term | 1 September to 18 December 2026 |
| October half term | 26 to 30 October 2026 |
| Christmas holiday | 21 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 |
| Spring term | 4 January to 25 March 2027 |
| February half term | 15 to 19 February 2027 |
| Easter holiday | 26 March to 11 April 2027 |
| Summer term | 12 April to 21 July 2027 |
| May half term | 31 May to 4 June 2027 |
| Summer holiday | From 22 July 2027 |
These are from BCP Council’s school term and holiday dates page. The council bases them on a 195-day year and sets them more than a year ahead. It says schools can decide to operate different term dates and can use five days a year for staff training, and tells parents to check with the school.
INSET days
The council does not publish INSET days, because each school picks its own. They are the most common reason a child is at home on what looks like a school day. The school’s own calendar is the only reliable place to find them.
Bournemouth School, the boys’ grammar, is a good example of how they land. Its 2026/27 INSET days are:
- 25 September 2026
- 2 November 2026, the Monday after half term
- 22 February 2027, the Monday after February half term
- 7 June 2027, the Monday after May half term
Two more, on 1 and 2 September 2026, came before term started. Its holidays otherwise match the council’s (Bournemouth School, term dates).
Schools that break earlier
The independent schools run shorter terms, and their Christmas break starts a week before the state schools.
| School | October half term | Autumn term ends | Back in January |
|---|---|---|---|
| BCP Council pattern | 26 to 30 Oct | Fri 18 Dec | Mon 4 Jan |
| Bournemouth School | 26 to 30 Oct, plus INSET Mon 2 Nov | Fri 18 Dec | Mon 4 Jan |
| Talbot Heath (independent) | 26 to 30 Oct | Fri 11 Dec, 12 noon | Tue 5 Jan (INSET Mon 4 Jan) |
| Bournemouth Collegiate (independent) | 22 Oct to 1 Nov, last day Wed 21 Oct | Fri 11 Dec, 12 noon | Wed 6 Jan (INSET 4 and 5 Jan) |
The detail:
- Talbot Heath ends the autumn term at 12 noon on Friday 11 December. Spring half term is 15 to 19 February and the spring term ends at 12 noon on Friday 19 March, a week before the council’s. The school says its dates are provisional (Talbot Heath, term dates)
- Bournemouth Collegiate takes a longer October break. Its last day before half term is Wednesday 21 October and term resumes on Monday 2 November. Spring half term runs 13 to 21 February and the summer term ends on Thursday 1 July 2027, three weeks before the state schools (Bournemouth Collegiate School, term dates)
If your child is at an academy, a church school or a grammar, check its own calendar. Most follow the council, but not all, and the INSET days will be their own.
Looking ahead to 2027/28
The council has already set next year. The autumn term runs 1 September to 17 December 2027, October half term is 25 to 29 October 2027, and the Christmas holiday is 18 December 2027 to 3 January 2028.
What half term looks like locally
What is on in Bournemouth during the October break, from Pumpkin Fest to the attraction hours, is on our Bournemouth Halloween and half term page.
Also on this site
- Bournemouth Halloween and half term
- Bournemouth Christmas travel
- Bournemouth pantomime
- Bournemouth roadworks and travel
- Parking in Bournemouth
Sources: BCP Council, school term and holiday dates; Bournemouth School, term dates; Talbot Heath, term dates; Bournemouth Collegiate School, term dates. Checked 25 September 2026.
Have your say