School Holidays: Northumberland Term Dates 2025-2027
Every half term, holiday, and INSET day for Northumberland schools in 2025-26 and 2026-27. What Blyth parents need to know.
If you have children at school in Blyth, the term dates you need are set by Northumberland County Council -- not Newcastle City Council, which follows a different calendar. It's an easy mistake to make, especially if you work in Newcastle or have friends whose children are at city schools, but the two authorities' holidays don't always align. Getting the right dates matters for booking annual leave, arranging childcare, and making the most of those precious weeks off.
Here's a practical overview of the confirmed and expected term dates for Blyth schools across the 2025-26 and 2026-27 academic years.
2025-26 Term Dates
Autumn Term
- Term starts: Monday 1 September 2025
- Half term: Monday 27 October to Friday 31 October 2025
- Term ends: Friday 19 December 2025
- Christmas holidays: Monday 22 December 2025 to Friday 2 January 2026
Spring Term
- Term starts: Monday 5 January 2026
- Half term: Monday 16 February to Friday 20 February 2026
- Term ends: Thursday 2 April 2026
- Easter holidays: Friday 3 April to Friday 17 April 2026
Summer Term
- Term starts: Monday 20 April 2026
- May Day bank holiday: Monday 4 May 2026
- Half term: Monday 25 May to Friday 29 May 2026
- Term ends: Friday 17 July 2026
- Summer holidays: Monday 20 July to Friday 28 August 2026
Best for: Northumberland schools follow different term dates to Newcastle. Always check the county council website for confirmed dates.
2026-27 Term Dates
Autumn Term
- Term starts: Tuesday 1 September 2026
- Half term: Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October 2026
- Term ends: Friday 18 December 2026
- Christmas holidays: Monday 21 December 2026 to Friday 1 January 2027
Spring Term
- Term starts: Monday 4 January 2027
- Half term: Monday 15 February to Friday 19 February 2027
- Term ends: Thursday 1 April 2027
- Easter holidays: Friday 2 April to Friday 16 April 2027
Summer Term
- Term starts: Monday 19 April 2027
- May Day bank holiday: Monday 3 May 2027
- Half term: Monday 31 May to Friday 4 June 2027
- Term ends: Friday 16 July 2027
- Summer holidays: Monday 19 July to Friday 27 August 2027
Best for: These dates are approximate and based on the typical Northumberland pattern. Always confirm with the county council or your child's school before booking holidays.
INSET Days
Every school in Northumberland is allocated five INSET (teacher training) days per academic year. These are set by individual schools, not the county council, so they vary from school to school. INSET days are normal school days that are closed to pupils, and they can fall at any point in the year -- though many schools place them at the start or end of terms.
Your school will publish its INSET days on its website or via letters home. It's always worth checking early in the academic year so you can plan around them.
Academies May Vary
Most Blyth schools follow the standard Northumberland County Council term dates, but academies have the freedom to set their own calendars. Bede Academy and Blyth Academy are both academies, and while they typically follow the county pattern closely, there can be small differences -- particularly around INSET days and the precise start or end of terms.
If your child attends an academy, check the school's own website for their specific calendar rather than relying solely on the county council dates.
Where to Find Official Dates
The definitive source for Northumberland term dates is the Northumberland County Council website. The council publishes confirmed dates well in advance, and this should always be your first port of call. Individual school websites will also list their specific dates including INSET days.
For more on family life in Blyth, see our guides to things to do in Blyth and moving to Blyth.
Spotted an error in these dates? Get in touch and we'll update the guide.