Setting term dates

Norfolk school term dates are set by us following consultation with (among others) schools, neighbouring authorities and groups representing teaching and other staff.

School term and holiday dates are determined in accordance with the legal requirements, which require that there should be 190 pupil days and five teacher available for work days (INSET days).

View school term dates. The consultation on school term dates usually takes place in November/December and agreed in January.

Can holiday periods coincide with those of neighbouring counties?

We participate in the annual meeting for the Eastern region where County Council representatives discuss future term dates with a view to establishing a consistent pattern of dates across the area.  Consequently our dates are very similar to those set by Cambridgeshire and Suffolk with only minor variations, which are a result of different arrangements we have for planning staff development days.

Norfolk County Council is responsible for setting the term dates for community schools, community special schools, VC schools and nursery schools.  The school calendar also sets the days on which school transport will be provided.

Foundation, VA, Foundation special, free schools and academy trusts are able to set their own dates, but most adopt the Norfolk model.  We advise you to check with your child's school before making holiday or other commitments.