Term Dates

Attendance at school

It is well recognised that good, consistent attendance at school is crucial to a child’s future prospects. Reducing absence from school is a priority at Hill Farm as well as at schools locally and nationally.

In September 2013, the Department for Education made changes to the guidance given to headteachers about the authorisation of holidays taken in term time. These changes mean that headteachers are no longer able to authorise any requests for leave of absence in term time unless it is in exceptional circumstances. These occasions are extremely rare.

If you believe you need to take your child out of school for exceptional circumstances, please request this absence using a ‘Request for Absence’ form which can be collected from the school office. In order to be considered, this form must be received by school no later than 10 working days before the absence is planned. The school will then make a decision as to whether the absence will be authorised or not and will inform you of this in writing. If the absence is not authorised and your child is going to be absent from school for more than 5 days, then you risk being issued with a penalty fine of £60 per parent.

If you have any questions relating to leave of absence or attendance in general, please contact the school.


2023/2024 School Terms and Holidays
TermStudent DatesTeacher Days
Autumn 2023Tuesday 5 September 2023 to Friday 22 December 2023Friday 1 September
Monday 4 September
Monday 6 November
Friday 1 December
Half Term Break
Monday 30 October 2023 to Friday 3 November 2023
Christmas Holiday
Monday 25 December 2023 to Friday 5 January 2024
Spring 2024Tuesday 9 January 2024 to Friday 22 March 2024Monday 8 January
Friday 9 February
Half Term Break
Monday 12 February 2024 to Friday 16 February 2024
Easter Holiday
Monday 25 March 2024 to Friday 5 April 2024
Summer 2024Monday 8 April 2024 to Friday 19 July 2024Friday 28 June
May Day Holiday
Monday 6 May 2024
Half Term Break
Monday 27 May 2024 to Friday 31 May 2024
Summer Holiday
Begins Monday 22 July 2024

2024/2025 School Terms and Holidays
TermStudent DatesTraining Days
Autumn 2024Tuesday 3 September 2024 to Friday 20 December 2024Monday 2 September 2024
Half Term Break
Monday 28 October 2024 to Friday 1 November 2024
Christmas Holiday
Monday 23 December 2024 to Friday 3 January 2025
Spring 2025Monday 6 January 2025 to Friday 11 April 2025
Half Term Break
Monday 17 February 2025 to Friday 21 February 2025
Easter Holiday
Monday 14 April 2025 to
Friday 25 April 2025
Summer 2025Monday 28 April 2025 to
Monday 21 July 2025
May Day Holiday
Monday 5 May 2025
Half Term Break
Monday 26 May 2025 to
Friday 30 May 2025
Summer Holiday
Tuesday 22 July 2025