UK Boarding School Holidays: What International Students Should Know

Ready to go home for school holiday

For many international students attending UK boarding schools, school holidays can be both exciting and a little daunting. Whether you are a student or a parent, understanding how these breaks work is essential for smooth planning.

At Aspire Guardians, we help families navigate school holidays. Here’s what you should know:

Key Dates for UK Boarding School Holiday 

Most UK boarding schools follow this general pattern:

• Autumn Term Half Term → Late October (1-2 weeks)

• Christmas Holidays → Mid-December to early January (3–4 weeks)

• Spring Term Half Term → Mid-February (1 week)

• Easter Holidays → Late March or April (2–3 weeks)

• Summer Term Half Term → Late May to early June (1 week)

• Summer Holidays → Early July to early September (up to 8–9 weeks)

Tip: Always check your school’s term dates via the school website.

Why International Students Need a Guardian During Holidays

Most UK boarding schools close entirely during holiday periods, which means international students:

• Cannot remain on campus;Must stay with a host family for the duration; or 

• Travel back to their home country.

Aspire Guardians ensures your child has a safe, vetted host family to stay with during these times and gives parents complete peace of mind.

Travel Planning: Book Early!

Flights around UK school holidays get booked up quickly. We recommend booking flights at least two to three months ahead of the holidays.

Arrange airport transfers early. Aspire Guardians can help coordinate airport pick ups, drop offs and travel supervision during these busy times with fully checked taxi services should the school not organise airport transfers at convenient times for your flights.

Keeping Students Engaged During Breaks

Whilst holidays are a time to rest and recharge, they also offer fantastic opportunities for:

• Living with an English host family,

• Attending an English Learning Camp, or

• Attending educational or short-term camps.

Aspire Guardians partners with different camp providers to enrich your child’s experience in the UK.

Holiday Communication with Aspire

During holiday periods, it’s important that:

• Parents stay in regular contact with Aspire.

• Students know where they will be staying and understand host family expectations.

• Emergency contact details are kept up to date.

  
  

We provide detailed holiday plans for every student under our care, ensuring that everyone stays informed.

Last but not least, UK boarding school holidays are an important part of the academic calendar, but they do require planning, particularly for international families.

Aspire Guardians is here to support you at every stage, from arranging accommodation or courses and camps to coordinating travel.