More English state schools adopt two‑week October half‑term, raising childcare concerns

A Teacher Tapp poll shows the share of schools with a fortnight break rose from 7% in 2023 to 15% this year, prompting expert warnings of uneven childcare access.

By Felo News Desk · Published Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:22:08 GMT

According to a survey shared with the Press Association, 15% of state‑school teachers in England reported that their schools are offering a two‑week October half‑term in 2026, up from 12% last year and 7% in 2023.

What happened

The Teacher Tapp poll sampled 8,112 state‑school teachers across England. The data show a rapid increase in schools extending the autumn break to two weeks. While most local‑authority schools continue to run a one‑week half‑term, academies – which set their own term dates – are driving the shift.

What the reports add

The Independent notes that some schools have reported reductions in pupil absence and staff illness since adopting the longer break.
The Evening Standard repeats the expert warning that the lack of a national strategy could create a “postcode lottery” for families with children in schools that observe different holiday schedules.
Both outlets highlight that councils such as Nottinghamshire and Bromley have adjusted their summer holidays to accommodate the two‑week October break.
Anthem Schools Trust, which runs 15 schools in the East Midlands, London and the Thames Valley, introduced a two‑week October half‑term across all its schools for the first time this year.

What was said

“A lack of strategy over the break risks creating a postcode lottery for families,”

— unnamed education expert, reported by both the Independent and the Evening Standard.

“My concern is that we’re seeing a piecemeal revolution in the school calendar, with individual schools and trusts making changes without a wider strategy. That risks creating a postcode lottery for families, particularly parents juggling childcare and work when neighbouring schools operate different holiday dates.”

— Lee Elliot Major, professor of social mobility at the University of Exeter, told the Press Association (Independent).

“About 60% of families were in favour of the extended half term, with some saying they were happy about the prospect of booking more affordable holidays earlier in the month.”

— David Hatchett, chief executive of Anthem Schools Trust, told the Press Association (Evening Standard).

How it came about

Academies, which operate independently of local councils, have increasingly used their autonomy to set longer autumn breaks. Council‑run schools must still meet a minimum of 190 open days per year, but can add up to five inset days for teacher training, allowing flexibility for extended holidays. Some academies have chosen to lengthen the school day slightly or move staff training to “twilight” sessions to keep other holidays unchanged, leaving working parents to arrange an extra week of childcare after the summer break.

Key facts

15% of state‑school teachers said their schools have a two‑week October half‑term in 2026 (independent.co.uk)
The share rose from 12% in 2025 and 7% in 2023 (standard.co.uk)
Academies are the main drivers of the two‑week break, while most council schools keep a one‑week half‑term (independent.co.uk)