Glasgow School Holidays 2024 – Complete Term Dates and Breaks

Glasgow City Council has published the official academic calendar for local authority schools covering the 2024/25 session, with specific dates for term times, holiday periods, and in-service days confirmed through the autumn of 2025. Parents and carers planning childcare arrangements or family activities should note the structured breaks throughout the year, including early closing times on the final days of term.

The schedule follows the traditional Scottish pattern of three main terms—autumn, winter, and spring—punctuated by half-term breaks and public holidays. Specific dates reveal the academic year concludes in late June 2025, with the summer holidays extending through July and August before the next session begins.

This guide presents the verified term dates, half-term schedules, and staff training days as released by Glasgow City Council, alongside contextual information about how these dates fit within Scotland’s broader educational framework.

Glasgow School Term Dates 2024/25

The 2024/25 academic year operates on a three-term system, with the winter and spring terms falling primarily in 2025. The structure provides regular intervals for rest and family time, while maintaining the instructional hours required by Education Scotland standards.

Several patterns emerge from the official calendar that families should note when planning ahead:

• Glasgow City Council sets official term dates for all local authority schools
• The 2024/25 academic year concludes on 25 June 2025
• Christmas break extends into early January 2026
• Multiple in-service days require specific childcare arrangements
• Early closing times apply before holidays (1:00pm or 2:30pm)
• September weekend provides autumn breathing space
• Dates align with broader Scottish school holiday patterns

Summer Holidays and Key Break Dates in Glasgow 2024

Easter Holidays and Spring Break

The spring holiday period in 2025 runs from Monday, 7 April through Monday, 21 April, with schools reopening on Tuesday, 22 April. This two-week break encompasses the Easter weekend and provides families with extended time away from the classroom. Schools close early at 2:30pm on Friday, 4 April, requiring parents to arrange afternoon childcare for that final day.

Summer Holiday Closure 2025

The academic year terminates on Wednesday, 25 June 2025, with pupils dismissed at 1:00pm. This early closure allows staff to complete administrative tasks and classroom preparations before the summer break officially begins. The extended holiday period runs through July and August, with the next academic session typically commencing in mid-August 2025.

Glasgow Half Term Dates 2024

February Mid-Term Break

Pupils receive a three-day break from Monday, 17 February through Wednesday, 19 February 2025. However, the Wednesday serves as an in-service day for staff training, meaning children have a five-day weekend when combined with the preceding Saturday and Sunday. This February break helps divide the winter term, providing rest before the push toward Easter examinations.

October Half-Term Week

The autumn half-term runs from Monday, 13 October to Friday, 17 October 2025, providing a full week away from school. Preceding this break, Friday, 10 October serves as an in-service day, effectively giving pupils a ten-day holiday period from the Friday evening through the Sunday of the following weekend. This timing aligns with traditional Scottish autumn holiday patterns.

Glasgow School Inset Days and Additional Closures 2024

In-service days punctuate the academic calendar, providing essential professional development time for teaching staff while requiring parents to secure alternative childcare. The 2024/25 schedule includes three confirmed in-service days: 19 February, 22 May, and 10 October 2025. These dates apply across Glasgow local authority schools, though individual institutions may arrange additional training days.

Public Holidays Affecting Schools

Beyond the standard term breaks, Glasgow schools observe public holidays including Monday, 5 May 2025. The May weekend holiday extends from Friday, 23 May through Monday, 26 May 2025, creating a four-day weekend that many families use for short breaks within Scotland.

Glasgow School Holiday Timeline 2024/25

The following sequence presents the major calendar events for the academic year:

1. 6 January 2025: Schools reopen after Christmas break — source
2. 17–19 February 2025: February mid-term break — source
3. 4 April 2025: Early close for Easter (2:30pm) — source
4. 7–21 April 2025: Easter/spring holiday — source
5. 23–26 May 2025: May weekend holiday — source
6. 25 June 2025: Summer term ends (1:00pm) — source
7. 26–29 September 2025: September weekend — source
8. 13–17 October 2025: October half-term — source
9. 19 December 2025: Christmas close (2:30pm) — source

What is Officially Confirmed About Glasgow School Dates?

While Glasgow City Council provides definitive term dates for local authority schools, certain variables remain dependent on individual institutions. The following breakdown clarifies what parents can consider fixed versus what requires direct school verification:

Understanding Glasgow’s School Calendar Within Scottish Education

Scotland operates a distinct educational calendar compared to England and Wales, with shorter summer holidays but more frequent breaks throughout the year. Glasgow follows this national pattern while setting specific dates that may vary slightly from Edinburgh, Aberdeen, or Dundee. The council coordinates with Skills Development Scotland to ensure term dates align with apprenticeship and vocational training schedules.

Parents managing chronic health conditions or routine medical checks during holiday periods should monitor relevant health metrics. Resources such as Normal Hemoglobin Levels by Age – Charts for Men, Women, Children provide reference data for ensuring children maintain healthy levels throughout the academic year. The demanding schedule of term time can affect physiological markers, making holiday periods optimal for health assessments.

Glasgow’s diverse population means the school calendar must accommodate various community needs while maintaining the statutory minimum teaching hours. The council publishes term dates approximately one year in advance, allowing families to plan around religious observances, family events, and employment commitments.

Where Glasgow School Holiday Information Comes From

Term dates originate from Glasgow City Council’s education services department, which consults with teaching unions, parent councils, and neighbouring authorities before finalising the calendar. The council publishes these dates through official channels and partner organisations.

Schools return on Monday, 6 January 2025 following the Christmas break, with the February mid-term running from 17–19 February including an in-service day on the Wednesday.

— Raring2Go Glasgow, verified against council data

The academic year concludes at 1:00pm on Wednesday, 25 June 2025, marking the beginning of the summer holiday period.

— Raring2Go Glasgow

For families relocating between cities, English school holiday dates differ significantly, typically running on a September-to-July pattern with six-week summer breaks compared to Scotland’s six-to-seven-week summer holidays starting in late June.

Key Takeaways for Parents and Carers

Glasgow’s 2024/25 academic calendar provides a predictable rhythm of term times and breaks, with the winter term beginning on 6 January 2025 and concluding with the summer holiday starting 25 June 2025. Parents should note the three in-service days requiring childcare cover, the early closing times on final term days, and the week-long breaks in February and October. Those monitoring their children’s wellbeing during these transitions may find Good Resting Heart Rate – Chart by Age and Gender useful for establishing baseline health metrics before the new term begins. For the most current information, consult Glasgow City Council’s official publications directly.

Frequently Asked Questions