Planning a holiday or arranging childcare around school closures can be straightforward once the official dates are known. For Glasgow, the 2025/26 academic year follows a schedule set by the local council, with clear patterns for term times, breaks, and in-service training days. This article compiles the most reliable, council-aligned information available for families, educators, and anyone needing to plan ahead.
The school year across all Glasgow local authority schools runs for 195 days in total, comprising 190 pupil days and 5 staff in-service days. Schools typically close early on the last day before a major holiday – often around 2:30 pm, though some breaks finish at 1:00 pm. While the council publishes the master calendar, individual school sites and approved aggregators provide accessible summaries. Below is a consolidated, fact-based guide to the key dates for 2025 and the full 2025/26 academic year.
All dates below are drawn from council-hosted sources (such as Glow Blogs for Thornwood Primary), school-specific PDFs (Jordanhill School), and established term-date aggregators that align with the official Glasgow City Council calendar. Where uncertainty exists, it is clearly noted.
What are the Glasgow school holiday dates for 2025?
Pupils return 14 Aug – Last day 19 Dec
Term begins 5 Jan – Summer closure 25 Jun (1 pm)
12–13 Aug 2025 (pupils off)
Close 2 Apr (2:30 pm) – Return 20 Apr
- The 2025/26 school year begins in mid‑August, earlier than many calendar‑year expectations.
- Glasgow follows a six‑term structure within the traditional Scottish three‑term framework, with holidays in October, Christmas, February, and Easter.
- Five in‑service days are fixed council‑wide; the first two always fall at the start of the academic year (12‑13 Aug 2025).
- Schools close early (2:30 pm or 1:00 pm) on the last day of each term.
- Dates are subject to change by Glasgow City Council; schools notify families directly of any amendments.
- Independent schools, such as Jordanhill, generally align with council dates but may have minor variations.
- Nearby councils (e.g., South Lanarkshire) set slightly different schedules, so families living near boundaries should verify their specific authority.
| Term | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Tue 12 Aug 2025 (teachers) / Thu 14 Aug (pupils) | Fri 10 Oct 2025 |
| Term 2 | Mon 20 Oct 2025 | Fri 19 Dec 2025 |
| Term 3 | Mon 5 Jan 2026 | Fri 13 Feb 2026 |
| Term 4 | Mon 23 Feb 2026 | Thu 2 Apr 2026 |
| Term 5 | Mon 20 Apr 2026 | Fri 22 May 2026 |
| Term 6 | Mon 1 Jun 2026 (or 26 May in some sources) | Thu 25 Jun 2026 (close 1 pm) |
What are the Glasgow term dates for the 2025/2026 school year?
The full 2025/26 calendar is split into six teaching terms, with breaks in October, Christmas, February, Easter, and a May public holiday. This structure applies to all Glasgow City Council primary and secondary schools. Independent schools such as Jordanhill follow a nearly identical pattern, as confirmed by their board‑approved Term Dates PDF.
Full term‑by‑term breakdown
Term 1 runs from the pupil return on 14 August until 10 October. A September weekend (26–29 Sep) provides a short break within the term. The last day of term finishes with an in‑service day on 10 October.
Term 2 begins on 20 October and continues until 19 December. Schools close for the Christmas holidays at 2:30 pm on the 19th, and pupils return on 5 January 2026.
Term 3 (5 Jan – 13 Feb) includes a three‑day February mid‑term break from 16 February (pupils off Monday and Tuesday, in‑service on Wednesday 18 Feb).
Term 4 (23 Feb – 2 Apr) leads directly into the Easter break. Schools close at 2:30 pm on 2 April, and the holiday runs from Good Friday (3 Apr) through Friday 17 April. Pupils return on 20 April.
Term 5 (20 Apr – 22 May) includes the May Day public holiday on 4 May and a further in‑service day on 7 May (election‑related, subject to change). An extended weekend runs 22–25 May.
Term 6 (1 Jun – 25 Jun) is the final stretch. Schools close for summer at 1:00 pm on 25 June 2026. For the 2026/27 year, teachers are proposed to return on Thursday 13 August 2026.
Many families look ahead to the 2026/27 year. The only confirmed date so far is the proposed teacher return on 13 August 2026. Full term dates for 2026/27 are not yet published and are expected from Glasgow City Council in early 2026.
When are the in‑service days and pupil return dates in August 2025?
Teacher return date and in‑service days (12–13 August 2025)
All council‑aligned sources agree that teachers and staff report for training on Tuesday 12 August 2025 and Wednesday 13 August 2025. These are in‑service days – pupils do not attend school.
Pupil return date (14 August 2025)
Pupils return to school on Thursday 14 August 2025, marking the first day of the new academic year. This date is confirmed by Thornwood Primary (via Glow Blogs), Thistle Property Management (citing council data), Jordanhill School PDF, and Primary Times. The school year officially begins with Term 1.
If your child is starting school for the first time, double‑check the exact start time with your individual school. Many schools hold transition events in the days before the pupil return. Uniform and supply lists are usually sent out in late June or early August.
Where can I download a free PDF of Glasgow school holidays 2025 to 2026?
Official Glasgow City Council term dates
Glasgow City Council does not offer a single downloadable PDF directly on its website, according to the sources consulted. The official calendar is published as a web page at glasgow.gov.uk. Individual school sites – such as Thornwood Primary’s Glow Blog – host council‑approved term date summaries that can be printed for reference.
School‑specific term date documents
A clear, PDF version is available from Jordanhill School, an independent school that follows the council pattern closely. Their Term Dates 2025‑26 FINAL PDF includes all term start and end dates, in‑service days, and early‑closure times. While not an official council document, it has been cross‑verified against multiple sources and aligns with the broad council schedule.
Always cross‑check PDF dates against the official Glasgow City Council page or your child’s school website. Council calendars may be updated after initial publication. Jordanhill’s PDF is accurate as of August 2024 but should not be treated as an official authority for all Glasgow schools.
What are the Glasgow school holidays for 2023/2024?
Quick reference: 2023/2024 term dates vs. 2025/2026
The 2023/24 academic year ended in June 2024. Its term dates are no longer published on the main council page, but historical records can be requested. The structure was identical to the current model: six terms, five in‑service days, and the same holiday pattern (October, Christmas, February, Easter, May). The key difference is the shift of dates by one calendar year. For those needing the 2023/24 schedule, the Glasgow City Council website maintains a past‑years archive.
What are the key milestones in the Glasgow school calendar for 2025/26?
- – Teacher return / in‑service day (pupils off).
- – In‑service day (pupils off).
- – Pupils return; start of Term 1.
- – Last day of Term 1 (in‑service day; pupils finish earlier).
- – Start of Term 2.
- – Last day of Term 2; Christmas break begins at 2:30 pm.
- – Start of Term 3.
- – Last day of Term 4; Easter break begins at 2:30 pm.
- – Summer break begins at 1:00 pm (end of Term 6).
Sources: Thistle Property Management, Thornwood Primary (Glow Blogs), Primary Times, Jordanhill School PDF.
What is certain and what is uncertain about the Glasgow school holiday dates for 2025/26?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| 12–13 August 2025 are in‑service days (confirmed by Glasgow City Council via multiple sources). | Exact dates for Easter 2026 and summer 2026 are not listed in a single official council PDF; they are inferred from term date tables. |
| Pupil return is Thursday 14 August 2025. | In‑service days beyond August (October, February, May) may vary slightly by school or due to unforeseen circumstances. |
| Term 1 ends 10 October 2025; Term 2 starts 20 October. | Some holiday descriptions (e.g., “October mid‑term break” vs. “in‑service day”) are not labelled explicitly on all council pages. |
How does the Glasgow school holiday calendar fit into the broader Scottish education system?
Scotland operates a devolved education system where each local authority sets its own term dates within a national framework. Glasgow City Council, like other councils, adopts a 195‑day school year with a statutory minimum of 190 teaching days. The calendar is organised into six teaching terms (though often referred to as three broader terms) to accommodate the October, Christmas, February, Easter, and May breaks. In‑service days are reserved for staff training and school improvement.
This structure affects not only families but also the rental and tourism markets, especially around the October and Easter holidays. Independent schools may diverge from the council calendar, so it is always wise to confirm directly with the school. For families moving to Glasgow from other parts of the UK, the earlier August start date (mid‑August rather than early September) is a notable difference.
Where are the official sources for Glasgow school holidays?
- Glasgow City Council – School Term Dates: glasgow.gov.uk
- Jordanhill School Term Dates 2025‑26 PDF: jordanhill.glasgow.sch.uk
- Thornwood Primary (Glow Blogs) – council‑aligned calendar: blogs.glowscotland.org.uk
- Primary Times – aggregated Glasgow dates: primarytimes.co.uk
- UK School Holidays – Glasgow overview: ukschoolholidays.co.uk
- Edarabia – Glasgow school holidays: edarabia.com
“Glasgow City Council is the primary authority for school term dates in the city. School sites host council‑approved calendars; always refer to glasgow.gov.uk for the most current information.” – Collated from official and council‑linked sources.
– Glasgow City Council (via Thornwood Primary Glow Blog)
What do I need to remember about Glasgow school holidays 2025 and 2025/26?
The 2025/26 school year in Glasgow starts with teacher in‑service days on 12‑13 August and pupil return on 14 August 2025. The six‑term schedule includes breaks in September, October, Christmas, February, Easter, and May, with summer closure on 25 June 2026 at 1:00 pm. For a quick printable reference, see the summary above. Always confirm with your child’s school or the council website before making firm plans, as dates can be subject to change.
Frequently asked questions about Glasgow school holidays 2025
Are Glasgow school holidays the same for all schools?
Generally yes for local authority schools, but independent schools may have different dates.
When do Glasgow schools break up for summer 2025?
Summer 2025 is part of the 2024/25 academic year. See our 2024/25 timeline or check the council website.
How many weeks is the summer holiday in Glasgow?
The summer break typically lasts 7–8 weeks, depending on the school year calendar.
Can I download a free PDF of Glasgow school holidays 2025 to 2026?
Yes, schools like Jordanhill provide PDFs. A direct council PDF is recommended for official use; see the sources section.
What are the Glasgow school holidays for 2023/2024?
The 2023/24 term dates are available on the Glasgow council website under historical or past years.
What time do schools close on the last day of term?
Typically 2:30 pm before Christmas and Easter, and 1:00 pm on the summer closing day.
Are there any election-related school closures in 2026?
Yes, a May in-service day on 7 May 2026 is election-linked and subject to change.
How can I stay updated on date changes?
Subscribe to Glasgow City Council notifications or check your school’s website regularly.
Henry William Morgan Harrison is a staff writer for NorwichWire.co.uk, covering local news, council decisions, business and community stories across Norwich and Norfolk. He works under Editor-in-Chief William Hargreaves and Managing Editor Clara Benson, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.