Leave HackerGuidesPlan my yearDevon school holidays 2027/28
Devon's school holidays and term dates for 2027/28, from Devon County Council. Devon schools break up for October half term on Friday 22 October 2027 and go back on Monday 1 November. For a parent, the best value is Christmas 2027: book 3 days, get 10 off (Sat 25 Dec 2027 to Mon 3 Jan 2028). Christmas 2027 is Thu 23 Dec 2027 to Wed 5 Jan 2028 (two weeks), a week later than most English councils' dates: Sat 18 Dec 2027 to Mon 3 Jan 2028 (two weeks and 1 day, 39 of 49 councils).
Devon school holidays 2027/28
| Holiday | Off, weekends included | Leave to cover it |
|---|---|---|
| October half termone week | 23 to 31 Octback Mon 1 Nov | 5 days → 9 off |
| Christmas holidaystwo weeks | 23 Dec to 5 Janback Thu 6 Jan | 7 days → 14 off |
| February half termone week | 12 to 20 Febback Mon 21 Feb | 5 days → 9 off |
| Easter holidaystwo weeks and 1 day | 1 to 17 Aprback Tue 18 Apr | 9 days → 17 off |
| May half termone week | 27 May to 4 Junback Mon 5 Jun | 4 days → 9 off |
| Summer holidaysfive weeks and 2 days | 26 Jul to 31 Augback Fri 1 Sep | 26 days → 37 off |
The council doesn't publish training (INSET) days for every school: each school sets its own, usually five a year. Check with your school.
Each row is a month, from the 1st on the left. The yellow stickers are the school holidays.
Term dates 2027/28
| Term | First day | Last day |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn term | Thu 2 Sep 2027 | Wed 22 Dec 2027 |
| Spring term | Thu 6 Jan 2028 | Fri 31 Mar 2028 |
| Summer term | Tue 18 Apr 2028 | Tue 25 Jul 2028 |
The terms between Christmas, Easter and the summer. Half terms and the other holidays above fall inside them.
How Devon compares
- Christmas 2027 is Thu 23 Dec 2027 to Wed 5 Jan 2028 (two weeks), a week later than most English councils' dates: Sat 18 Dec 2027 to Mon 3 Jan 2028 (two weeks and 1 day, 39 of 49 councils).
- Summer holidays 2028 are Wed 26 Jul to Thu 31 Aug 2028 (five weeks and 2 days), a week later than most English councils' dates: Sat 22 Jul to Thu 31 Aug 2028 (five weeks and 4 days, 28 of 49 councils).
Its October half term, February half term, Easter holidays and May half term match the most common English dates.
Compared with the 49 English councils we have 2027/28 dates for. Every English council side by side.
The best days of leave to book in 2027/28
To be off for every school holiday day in 2027/28 you'd need 56 days of leave. Full-time workers are entitled to at least 28 days a year, and that can include the bank holidays, so most families mix leave with a second parent, family and holiday clubs. These are the holidays where a day of leave goes furthest:
Christmas 2027: book 3 days, get 10 off
Open it in the planner to see it in your year and get the message for your manager.
Easter holidays 2028: book 4 days, get 10 off
Open it in the planner to see it in your year and get the message for your manager.
May half term 2028: book 4 days, get 9 off
Open it in the planner to see it in your year and get the message for your manager.
If your leave year runs January to December, covering the whole Christmas holiday takes 5 days from your 2027 leave and 2 days from 2028's.
About these dates: Recommended dates: 197 days, from which each school sets 5 staff training days and 2 occasional days.
Source: Devon County Council's term dates page, checked on 26 October 2026. Bank holidays from gov.uk.
Which schools use these dates
These are Devon County Council's dates for community and voluntary controlled schools. Academies, free schools, foundation and voluntary aided schools can set their own, and independent schools always do, so check with your school before you book. Most training (INSET) days are set by each school.
We don't have Devon's 2026/27 dates.
Taking children out of school in term time has its own rules: can I take my child on holiday in term time? Work in a school? Teachers and annual leave.
Questions
When is October half term 2027 in Devon?
Sat 23 Oct to Sun 31 Oct 2027, weekends included: one week off school. The last day of school before it is Friday 22 October and pupils go back on Monday 1 November.
When do Devon schools break up for Christmas 2027?
The last day of term is Wednesday 22 December 2027. The holiday runs Thu 23 Dec 2027 to Wed 5 Jan 2028, and schools go back on Thursday 6 January 2028.
When are the summer holidays 2028 in Devon?
Wed 26 Jul to Thu 31 Aug 2028: five weeks and 2 days off school. The last day of term is Tuesday 25 July.
What's the best time to book annual leave around the Devon school holidays?
Christmas 2027: book Wed 29 to Fri 31 Dec (3 days) and you're off Saturday 25 December 2027 to Monday 3 January 2028, 10 days with the children. Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day are bank holidays, so they come free.
How much annual leave do I need to cover the Devon school holidays?
56 days in 2027/28, to be off for every school holiday day, Monday to Friday. With 25 days of leave that's about 45% of 2027/28.
Do all schools in Devon follow these dates?
These are Devon County Council's dates for community and voluntary controlled schools. Academies, free schools, foundation and voluntary aided schools can set their own, and independent schools always do, so check with your school before you book. Most training (INSET) days are set by each school.