Leeds 2020/2021 school term dates, half terms and holidays and fines

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has led calls for parents to send their children back to class and the UK's chief medical officers have said youngsters are more at risk of long-term harm if they do not attend school than if they return.

The Prime Minister said: "It's vitally important that we get our children back into the classroom to learn and to be with their friends.

"Nothing will have a greater effect on the life chances of our children than returning to school."

Education unions have called for greater clarity on how schools should handle a spike in coronavirus cases.

Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said: "Government advice needs to cover the possible self-isolation of bubbles and, in extremis, moving to rotas or to more limited opening.

"It needs to cover advice to heads about the protections needed for staff in high-risk categories if infection rates rise."

Here is everything you need to know about term dates, school holidays and fines in Leeds:

When does school start?

The 2020/21 school year starts on Monday, September 7.

When is the Autumn half term?

The first half term of the year will be from Monday, October 26 until Friday, October 30.

Pupils are expected back in school on Monday, November 2.

When is the Christmas holiday?

The Christmas break is from Monday, December 21 until Friday, January 1.

Pupils are expected back in school on Monday, January 4.

When is the Spring half term?

The spring term is from Monday, February 15 until Friday, February 19.

Pupils are expected back in school on Monday, February 22.

When is the Easter holiday?

This year, the Easter holiday break is from Friday, April 2 until Friday, April 16.

Pupils are expected back in school on Monday, April 19.

When is summer half term?

The summer half term is from Monday, May 31 until Friday, June 4.

Pupils will be expected to be back in school on Monday, June 7.

When are the summer holidays?

The six week summer holidays will start from Wednesday, July 28.

Do these dates apply to all schools?

These are the dates provided by Leeds City Council.

Academies, free schools, foundation schools and faith schools set their own term dates so may differ.

Will I be fined if my child doesn't go back to school/I take my child out of school?

Fines for parents who refuse to send their children to England's schools will only be used as a "last resort" as classes resume after the coronavirus shutdown.

School Standards Minister Nick Gibb said there was a "moral imperative" for children to attend classes when they return next month.

Mr Gibb acknowledged that some parents would still have concerns but stressed that education was compulsory and fines could be used if necessary.

Mr Gibb, speaking on the BBC Radio 4's Today programme, said: "Fines for non-attendance have always been a last resort for headteachers and schools.

"What matters is that young people are attending school.

"We live in a country where education is compulsory and I think parents can be reassured that the measures that schools are taking to make sure that we minimise the risk of the transmission of the virus are very effective."

A message from the Editor: Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890. We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds. Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe. For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

Thank you

Laura Collins