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 2019-2020
Autumn Term 2019
| 2nd September | Monday | CPD (Staff only) |
| 3rd September | Tuesday | CPD (Staff only) |
| 4th September | Wednesday | First day for all pupils |
| 30th September – 1st October | Monday/Tuesday | School Closed Rosh Hashanah |
| 8th October | Tuesday | Finish 1:30pm |
| 9th October | Wednesday | School Closed Yom Kippur |
| 14th/15th October | Monday/Tuesday | School Closed Sukkot |
| 21st – 25th October | Monday – Friday | Half Term School Closed Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah |
| 1st November | Friday | Short Fridays begin Finish at 1:30pm |
| 19th December | Thursday | End of term 1:30pm Finish |
Spring Term 2020
| 6th January | Monday | CPD (Staff Only) |
| 7th January | Tuesday | Term Begins |
| 17th – 21st February | Monday – Friday | Half Term |
| 6th March | Friday | Longer Friday Finish at 2:30pm |
| 10th March | Tuesday | Purim 1:30pm Finish |
| 3rd April | Friday | End of term 1:30pm Finish |
Summer Term 2020
| 20th April | Monday | Term Begins |
| 24th April | Friday | Normal Fridays Finish at 3:30pm |
| 8th May | Friday | May Day School Closed VE Day |
| 25th-29th May | Monday – Friday | Half Term/Shavuot |
| 24th July | Friday | End of term 1:30pm Finish |
CPD for staff – the school is closed to children on these days during 2019/2020
| Three CPD DAYS AND FOUR TWILIGHT SESSION – 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 absesence added to the Jewish festival times above or for any other times.
