How Many School Days in a Year

For students, parents and educators alike, knowing how many school days there are in a year helps with planning, holidays, and managing expectations. While it might seem straightforward, the total number of school days can vary depending on the type of school, local authority policies, and national guidelines. This article explains clearly how many school days there typically are in the UK, what factors influence this number, and how the school year is structured.

What Is a School Day?

A school day refers to any day when students are expected to attend lessons or school activities. These days exclude weekends, public holidays, school breaks, and teacher training days (sometimes called INSET days). The length of the school day usually varies by age group and school, but the number of school days in the calendar year is a fixed figure set by education authorities.

Typical Number of School Days in the UK

In England, the Department for Education recommends that all maintained schools provide at least 190 school days in an academic year. This total excludes weekends, holidays, and non-teaching days.

The school year usually runs from early September to late July, divided into three terms: autumn, spring and summer. Each term typically lasts around 12 to 13 weeks, with breaks between them.

In Scotland, the school year is slightly different, running from mid-August to late June or early July. The number of school days is broadly similar, though the exact dates vary by local authority.

Factors That Affect the Number of School Days

While 190 days is the minimum recommendation in England, some schools may have slight variations due to local arrangements or additional training days for staff.

Schools also schedule teacher training or professional development days when pupils do not attend. These INSET days usually total around 5 to 10 per year and are included within the 190-day school calendar.

Public holidays such as Christmas, Easter and bank holidays reduce the number of school days in a calendar year but are accounted for within the academic calendar.

How Does This Compare to Other Countries?

Compared to some other countries, the UK has a moderate number of school days. For example, the school year in Japan or South Korea can be longer, sometimes exceeding 200 days, while in some European countries it may be closer to 180 days.

Why Does the Number of School Days Matter?

The number of school days impacts the amount of teaching and learning time available. Schools must balance curriculum requirements with pupils’ wellbeing and family time.

Knowing the number of school days also helps parents plan holidays, childcare, and family activities around the school calendar.

What Does a Typical School Year Look Like?

The academic year is divided into three main terms. The autumn term runs from September to December, the spring term from January to April, and the summer term from April to July. Between terms, there are half-term breaks lasting about a week, plus longer holidays at Christmas, Easter and summer.

Insider Tips for Parents and Students

It is helpful to check your local school’s calendar each year, as dates can vary slightly between schools and local authorities. Schools publish term dates and INSET days well in advance.

Planning holidays outside term time avoids disruption to learning and can be less costly.

Conclusion

In the UK, the school year typically includes around 190 school days, spread across three terms and interspersed with holidays and training days. Understanding this structure helps families and students manage their time effectively and supports a positive school experience.