IT'S that time again when schools re-open their doors and welcome kids back for a new term.

This means parents and guardians will want to know all the important dates throughout the year – so, grab a pen and a diary because we have everything you need to know.

What are the school terms dates for 2022/23?

The winter break has now come to an end and the new school year is beginning.

So it's crucial for parents and guardians to know what the school term dates are for the year.

Some schools have early-term times, so it is always worth checking with your school directly, or through the government website.

Here are the average term dates for schools across the UK until the beginning of the next academic year.

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England and Wales

For most schools in England and Wales, the school term times will be similar, if not the same.

Here's a look at the dates you need to know.

Spring 2023 Term

• Spring Term – Tuesday, January 3 – Friday, February 10             
• Half Term Holiday – Monday, February 13 – Friday, February 17
• Spring Term – Monday, February 20 – Friday, March 31
• School Holidays – Monday, April 3 – Friday, April 14

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Summer 2023 Term

• Summer term – Monday, April 17 – Friday, May 26
• Half-term holidays – Monday, May 29 – Friday, June 2
• Summer term – Monday, June 5 – Friday, July 21
• School holidays – Monday, July 24 – Friday, September 1

Autumn 2023 Term

• Autumn term – Monday, September 4 – Friday, October 20
• Half Term – Monday, October 23 – Friday, October 27
• Autumn term – Monday, October 30 – Thursday, December 21

Scotland

In Scotland, term times differ slightly.

Here are the term times according to the government website.

Spring term 2023

• Spring term begins– Monday, January 9
• Last day of term – Friday, February 10
• Monday February 13 – Casual holiday for Berwickshire, Eyemouth, Cheviot, Eildon West (Galashiels) Eildon East (Earlston) and Tweeddale, in service day for Eildon East (Selkirk) and Teviot & Liddesdale
• Monday February 20 –  Eildon East (Selkirk) and Teviot & Liddesdale all resume, in service day for Eildon West(Galashiels) Eildon East (Earlston), Tweeddale, Berwickshire, Eyemouth and Cheviot
• Tuesday February 21-  Eildon West (Galashiels), Eildon East (Earlston), Tweeddale, Berwickshire, Eyemouth and Cheviot all resume
• Last day of term for pupils and staff – Friday, March 31

Summer term 2023

• School is back for everyone – Monday, April 17
• May Day holiday, school closed – Monday, May 1
• Staff resume, in service day – Tuesday, May 2
• Pupils resume – Wednesday, May 3
• Last day of term for pupils and staff – Thursday, June 29

Autumn term 2023

• Staff resume, in service day – Monday, August 14
• In service day – Tuesday, August 15
• Pupils return – Wednesday, August 16
• Last day for staff and pupils – Friday, October 6
• All resume – Tuesday, October 17
• St Andrew’s Day, schools closed – Monday, November 27
• All resume – Tuesday, November 28
• Last day or term for pupils and staff – Thursday, December 21

Northern Ireland

The official government site has yet to publish a full detailed list of all dates.

However, they have provided parents and guardians with some key information.

These dates are based on an assumption of a ‘normal’ school year in Northern Ireland.

• Spring term begins – January 3
• Mid term – January 16 &17
• St Patrick's Day – March 17
• Easter holidays – April 6 until April 14
• Spring Bank Holiday – May 29
• Summer Holiday begins – July 1

We suggest that for the exact term times, you either check with your local council or speak to the school directly.

Schools also factor in training days throughout the year so make sure you know when they are so that your kids don't turn up on the wrong day.

It is also important to keep track of this year's bank holidays.

Is it illegal to take your children on holiday during term time?

An increasing number of parents may be tempted to take their children out of school to benefit from cheaper holiday deals during term time.

According to the government website ''you must make sure your child gets a full-time education that meets their needs".

It is not a legal right to take your child out of school during term time.

However, by doing so, parents run the risk of heavy fines and potentially even imprisonment.

Once your child is registered at a school, the law says you must send them to school every day and on time – between the school term after their fifth birthday and the last Friday in June in the school year they turn 16.

The law changed in September 2013 and schools are no longer allowed to let parents take their children out of school for up to ten days in term time.

Only in exceptional circumstances can you write to the headteacher and ask to take your child out of school.

It’s then up to the head teacher how many days your child can be away from school if leave is granted.

You can be fined for taking your child on holiday during term time without the school’s permission.

In a crackdown to stop children from missing lessons, the government said all parents could face a £120 fine if they do this.

Why is it more expensive to travel during school holidays?

Simply put, it's a question of supply and demand.

More holidaymakers tend to jet off during peak school holiday times placing a huge demand on airlines and hotels, causing the prices to surge.

Research from Kayak found prices go up by as much as £400 during school holidays.

There have been continued calls for the government to intervene and force tour operators to lower their prices during the holidays so fewer children are taken out of school during term time.

While it may work out cheaper to take kids out of school to go on holiday, parents could be left with huge fines for doing so.

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The Department for Education released figures for the 2020/2021 year which said that 3.4% of sessions were recorded as authorised absence, compared to 1.3% recorded as unauthorised.

Parents and guardians could receive a fine of up to £2,500, a community order or a jail sentence of up to three months if a child is missing school without a valid reason.

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