Term Dates

At Preston Primary School we actively discourage parents from taking their children out of school for holidays during term time.

To help parents plan their holidays please see the term dates below.

In line with DfE instructions, Preston Park Primary School will not authorise any holiday taken during term time. All absence from school due to holidays will be noted as unauthorised absence.

Term Dates Academic Year 2024 - 2025

AUTUMN TERM 2024

(Staff Inset on Monday 2^nd September 2024 & Tuesday 3^rd September 2024)
Pupils return to school Wednesday 4^th September 2024
Last day of term Friday 18^th October 2024
Half Term Monday 21^st October 2024 to Friday 25^th October 2024
Pupils return to school Monday 28^th October 2024
(Staff Inset Friday 6^th December 2024)
Last day of term Friday 20^th December 2024 @ 1:30pm
Christmas Holiday Monday 23^rd December 2024 – Friday 3^rd January 2025

SPRING TERM 2025

Pupils return to school Monday 6^th January 2025
Last day of term Friday 14^th February 2025
Half term Monday 17^th February 2025 to Friday 21^st February 2025
Pupils return to school Monday 24^th February 2025
Last day of term Friday 4^th April 2025 @ 1:30pm
Easter Holiday Monday 7^th April 2025 – Monday 21^st April 2025

SUMMER TERM 2025

Pupils return to school Tuesday 22^nd April 2025
May Bank Holiday Monday 5^th May 2025
Last day of term Friday 23^rd May 2025
Half term Monday 26^th May 2025 – Friday 30^th May 2025
Pupils return to school Monday 2^nd June 2025
Last day of term Friday 18th July 2025 @ 1:30pm
(Staff Inset Monday 21st July 2025)
(Staff Inset Tuesday 22nd July 2025)

Term Dates Academic Year 2025-2026

AUTUMN TERM 2025

(Staff Inset on Monday 1^st September 2025 & Tuesday 2^nd September 2025)
Pupils return to school Wednesday 3^rd September 2025
Last day of term Friday 24^th October 2025
Half Term Monday 27^th October 2025 to Friday 31^st October 2025
Pupils return to school Monday 3^rd November 2025
(Staff Inset Friday 5^th December 2025)
Last day of term Friday 19^th December 2025 @ 1:30pm
Christmas Holiday Monday 22^nd December 2025 – Friday 2^nd January 2026

SPRING TERM 2026

Pupils return to school Monday 5^th January 2026
Last day of term Friday 13^th February 2026
Half term Monday 16^th February 2026 to Friday 20^th February 2026
Pupils return to school Monday 23^rd February 2026
Last day of term Friday 27th March 2026 @ 1:30pm
Easter Holiday Monday 30th March 2026 - Friday 10th April 2026

SUMMER TERM 2026

(Staff Inset Monday 13^th April 2026)
Pupils return to school Tuesday 14th April 2026
May Bank Holiday Monday 4^th May 2026
Last day of term Friday 22^nd May 2026
Half term Monday 25^th May 2026 – Friday 29^th May 2026
Pupils return to school Monday 1^st June 2026
Last day of term Friday 17th July 2026 @ 1:30pm
Staff Inset Monday 20th July 2026

TERM TIME LEAVE

Parents are strongly discouraged from taking their children out of school for long periods of time.

Family holidays or trips abroad must be taken in the school holidays. The Headteacher can only authorise absence, in exceptional circumstances. In such cases, parents should submit a ‘Leave of Absence Request Form’ in advance and only make bookings if leave is granted. Whether to grant leave is at the discretion of the Headteacher. There is no right for a parent to appeal a decision.

We have compiled this list of frequently asked questions to provide some guidance.

Have I the right to take my child on holiday in term-time when I wish?

No. Schools have the discretion to grant leave of absence in other exceptional circumstances, but it will not automatically be granted.

How will the time away be recorded?

It will be an authorised absence if agreed by the school. If it is not agreed by the school, it will be recorded as unauthorised absence, and could result in a penalty notice being issued.

Can holiday leave be granted retrospectively?

No.

What happens if we don’t return on the agreed date?

The absence will be unauthorised. Your child's place at the school may be at risk. Admissions and the Education Welfare Service will be informed and a fixed penalty notice may be issued.

What happens if my child is removed from the school’s roll?

You must contact the Brent Admissions Service on 020 8937 3100 for advice and information on enrolling your child in another school.

What if I need a longer absence period than 10 days?

You should ensure that any extra time falls within school holidays.

Is there a right of appeal against a decision to remove from the school’s roll?

No, schools are legally entitled to take this course of action.

What is the Penalty Notice fine for term time leave?

New amounts for education-related penalty notices will come into force on 1 September 2012. The Education (Penalty Notices) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 increases the current amounts of penalty notices payable by parents from 1 September 2012. These will apply to any parent who fails to ensure the regular attendance of their child of compulsory school age (5-16) who is registered at a state school or fails to ensure that their excluded child is not found in a public place during schools hours without a justifiable reason. The amounts stated on the penalty are £60 per parent within 21 days. Days 22-28 the fine increases to £120 per parent. If the fine is not paid within this timescale legal action will commence with a referral to court. Costs can escalate to £1000 plus.