As a Jewish school, the term dates at Simon Marks differ slightly from non-denominational schools. The Education Regulations 1999 require all maintained schools to be open and educating their pupils for at least 380 sessions, the equivalent to 190 days.
Some Jewish festivals are where Jewish people are obliged to spend time in prayer and not to undertake ordinary work. On these days the school is closed and the school calendar sets out each year when these dates fall.
As we celebrate all Jewish festivals this means the term dates at Simon Marks may vary from other local schools in order to make up the statutory number of days.
Please note that special leave of absence during term time is only given in exceptional circumstances. Please inform all family and friends of these dates
Please find important dates for each term in the tables below.
TERM DATES 2024 – 2025
AUTUMN TERM 2024
| 2nd September | Monday | CPD (staff only) |
| 3rd September | Tuesday | CPD (staff only) |
| 4th September | Wednesday | First day for all pupils |
| 2nd October | Wednesday | Finish 1.30pm Rosh Hashanah |
| 3rd/4th October | Thursday/Friday | School closed Rosh Hashanah |
| 11th October | Friday | Finish 1.30pm Yom Kippur |
| 16th October | Wednesday | Finish 1.30pm Sukkot |
| 17th/18th October | Wednesday | School closed Sukkot |
| 23rd October | Wednesday | Finish 1.30pm Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah |
| 24th/25th October | Thursday/Friday | School closed Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah |
| 28th/1st October/November | Monday-Friday | Half term |
| 8th November | Friday | Short Fridays begin. Finish at 1.30pm |
| 20th December | Friday | End of term 1.30pm finish |
SPRING TERM 2025
| 6th January | Monday | CPD (staff only) |
| 7th January | Tuesday | Term begins |
| 17th/21st February | Monday-Friday | Half term |
| 14th March | Friday | Purim 1.30pm finish |
| 9th April | Wednesday | End of term 1.30pm finish |
SUMMER TERM 2025
| 22nd April | Tuesday | Term begins |
| 25th April | Friday | Normal Fridays finish at 3.30pm |
| 5th May | Monday | May Day school closed |
| 26th/30th May | Monday-Friday | Half term |
| 2nd/3rd June | Monday/Tuesday | School Closed Shavuot |
| 25th July | Friday | End of term 1.30pm finish |
CPD for staff – the school is closed to children on these days during 2024/2025
| Three CPD DAYS AND FOUR TWILIGHT SESSIONS – TBC |
| 2nd September | Monday | CPD (staff only) |
| 3rd September | Tuesday | CPD (staff only) |
| 6th January | Monday | CPD (staff only) |
Children are required to be in school for 190 days of the school year. Please note that special leave of absence during term time is only given in exceptional circumstances. Please inform all family and friends of these dates as holidays and family visits will not be authorised for absence added to the Jewish festival times above or for any other times.
TERM DATES 2025 – 2026
AUTUMN TERM 2026
| 1st September | Monday | CPD (Staff only) |
| 2nd September | Tuesday | CPD (Staff only) |
| 3rd September | Wednesday | First day for all pupils |
| 22nd September | Monday | Finish 1.30pm Rosh Hashanah |
| 23rd & 24th September | Tuesday & Wednesday | School Closed for Rosh Hashanah |
| 1st October | Wednesday | Finish 1.30pm Yom Kippur |
| 2nd October | Thursday | School Closed Yom Kippur |
| 6th October | Monday | Finish 1.30pm Sukkot |
| 7th & 8th October | Tuesday & Wednesday | School Closed Sukkot |
| 13th October | Monday | Finish 1.30pm Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah |
| 14th & 15th October | Tuesday & Wednesday | School closed Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah |
| 27th to 31st October | Monday to Friday | Half Term |
| 7th November | Friday | Short Fridays begin. Finish at 1.30pm |
| 23rd December | Tuesday | Finish 1.30pm End of Term |
SPRING TERM 2026
| 5th January | Monday | First day for all pupils |
| 16th to 20th February | Monday to Friday | Half Term |
| 3rd March | Tuesday | Finish 1.30pm Purim |
| 27th March | Friday | Finish 1.30pm End of Term |
SUMMER TERM 2026
| 13th April | Monday | First day for all pupils |
| 4th May | Monday | School Closed May Day |
| 22nd May | Friday | School Closed Shavuot |
| 25th to 29th May | Monday to Friday | Half Term |
| 23rd July | Thursday | Finish 1.30pm End of Term |
| 24th July | Friday | CPD (Staff only) |
CPD for staff – the school is closed to children on these days during 2025/2026
| Three CPD DAYS AND FOUR TWILIGHT SESSIONS – TBC |
| 1st September | Monday | CPD (Staff only) |
| 2nd September | Tuesday | CPD (Staff only) |
| 5th January | Monday | CPD (Staff only) |
