The British academic year runs from September to July and is split into three terms, with a one week (usually) half term in the middle of each. There are 195 days teaching in the year. However, as term dates differ from year to year and school to school, it is sometimes possible to do approximately 200 supply teaching days a year. The year is organised as follows:

Autumn term

• Starts in first week of September – Ends in third/ last week in December
• Half term: end of October
• Christmas holidays: about two weeks

Spring term

• Starts first/second week in January – ends Easter (as Easter moves this is the most difficult term to estimate the dates)
• Half term: middle/end February
• Easter holidays: about two weeks

Summer Term

• Starts a week possible 2 weeks after Easter – ends third week of July
• Half term: Whitsun week (end of May)
• Summer holidays: about six weeks

Within these term dates, there will also be arranged a mandatory five INSET (In-service Training) days by schools to promote the professional development of their staff. Independent school usually have these holiday but with at least an extra week sometime more during the Christmas, Easter and Summer holidays.