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 2020 – 2021
Autumn Term – 2020
| 3rd September | Thursday | CPD (staff only) |
| 4th September | Friday | CPD (staff only) |
| 7th September | Monday | First day for all pupils |
| 18th September | Friday | Finish 1.30pm Rosh Hashanah |
| 28th September | Monday | School Closed Yom Kippur |
| 2nd October | Friday | Finish 1.30pm Sukkot |
| 9th October | Friday | Finish 1.30pm Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah |
| 26th – 30th October | Monday – Friday | Half Term |
| 6th November | Friday | Short Fridays begin 1.30pm Finish |
| 18th December | Friday | End of term 1.30pm finish |
Spring Term – 2021
| 4th January | Monday | CPD (Staff Only) |
| 5th January | Tuesday | Term begins |
| 15th – 19th February | Monday – Friday | Half term |
| 26th February | Friday | Purim Finish at 1.30pm |
| 24th March | Wednesday | End of Term 1.30pm Finish |
Summer Term – 2021
| 8th April | Thursday | Term begins |
| 9th April | Friday | Normal Fridays Finish at 3.30pm |
| 3rd May | Monday | May Day School Closed |
| 17th – 18th May | Monday – Tuesday | School Closed Shavuot |
| 31st May – 4th June | Monday – Friday | Half Term |
| 23rd July | Friday | End of Term 1.30pm Finish |
CPD for staff- the school is closed to children on these days during 2020/21
| Three CPD DAYS AND FOUR TWILIGHT SESSIONS -TBC | ||
| 3rd September | Thursday | CPD (staff only) |
| 4th September | Friday | CPD (staff only) |
| 4th 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.
