School term dates

2023/24

*Please note that these dates are those recommended by Devon County Council. Each school is responsible for nominating its own non-pupil dates and occasional holidays.

Visit the school information website to find individual school term dates for 2023/24.

Setting school term dates

Local authorities have a duty to determine the school term dates for community and voluntary controlled schools in their area and recommend these dates for adoption by governors of foundation, voluntary aided, trust maintained, academies and free schools. It is hoped that for consistency across Devon that all schools will adopt the recommended term dates. In previous years Devon’s calendar has been based upon the Local Government Association’s standard school year recommendation, but they no longer perform this role.

The school year in Devon is split into the three terms of autumn, spring and summer. Each term has two half-terms. During the school year, all schools are invited to nominate days when they will close for staff training – these are called non-pupil days or inset days – and for two occasional school holidays.

Term dates are set after consultation with all Devon maintained schools and representatives from union associations to establish 197 school days (including 2 occasional days and 5 staff training days). Devon’s calendar has been created based upon previous years calendars and through discussion with neighbouring authorities to ensure consistency across the South West (where possible). Academies and free schools are not required to provide education for 190 days but the Local Authority encourages them to do so.

Non-pupil dates and opening times

All maintained schools are required by The Education (School Day and School Year) (England) Regulations 1999 to open for 195 days, of which pupils should attend for 190 days during each academic year. Schools should set two days of occasional holiday and five staff training days from the 197 recommended by the LA. Academies and free schools are not bound by these regulations but are encouraged to provide the same number of education days in each year.

It is recommended that schools set their occasional days so as to avoid split week holidays, wherever they fall, however, this is the responsibility of school governors, not the Local Authority.

Schools are asked to indicate their non-pupil dates and opening times to the County Council after the core dates have been confirmed and published on this website. For the dates and times set for all Devon state-funded schools, please go to the School Information pages.

• Blank term dates – all years
• Guide on how to enter term dates