Kent School Holidays 2027–2028: Term Dates & Half Terms

Kent County Council has published its term dates for the 2027–2028 academic year. Here are the confirmed dates for every term, half term and holiday — along with some practical notes on planning group trips around the school calendar.

These dates apply to community and voluntary-controlled schools in Kent. Academies and free schools set their own calendars, so always check directly with your school.

Kent term dates 2027–2028 at a glance

Kent uses a six-term structure rather than the traditional three terms. Each “term” runs between half-term breaks.

Kent school holidays 2027–2028

Key dates worth noting

Easter 2028 gives Kent families a generous break. Term 4 finishes on 31 March, and Term 5 doesn’t start until 18 April — that’s just over two weeks off when you include the Easter weekend itself (Good Friday 14 April, Easter Monday 17 April). Our Easter 2028 guide has the full picture.

The May bank holiday stretch is worth planning around. May Day falls on Monday 1 May 2028, then the spring bank holiday on Monday 29 May runs straight into half term. Two long weekends in one month.

Summer 2028 starts from 24 July. The first week (24–31 July) is typically quieter for group bookings before the August rush begins. If your group has any flexibility, that first week often means better availability and lower prices.

Planning a group break around Kent school holidays

Kent is well placed for group getaways. You’ve got the coast (Whitstable, Broadstairs, Margate), the countryside (the Weald, the North Downs), and Canterbury for a city break that doesn’t feel like one.

A few practical points:

Cross-county groups need careful date-matching. Kent’s dates won’t always line up with London boroughs or East Sussex. If you’re pulling a group together from across the South East, compare dates before booking. Our Essex and Surrey guides cover the neighbouring counties.

October half term is ideal for Kent coast. The summer crowds have gone, the weather is still reasonable, and the seaside towns have an entirely different character. A group house near Margate or Broadstairs in late October is a different proposition to peak August.

The Easter break is your best two-week window. Spring in the Garden of England is exactly as good as it sounds. A large group house in the Kent countryside during Easter half term is one of the most pleasant group weekends of the year. See our bank holidays 2028 guide for the full list of long weekends.

Source: Kent County Council’s determined 2027/28 calendar, checked 22 October 2026.

Inset days in Kent

Kent schools get five INSET (staff training) days per year, chosen by each school individually. They’re not included in the table above because they vary. Your school will publish them separately, usually at the start of the academic year.

An INSET day on a Monday after half term (or a Friday before it) turns a one-week break into nine days. Check your school’s calendar early — these extended breaks are prime booking windows for family holiday houses.

Where to stay for a Kent group break

Kent gives you options. The coast works brilliantly for summer and early autumn groups. Canterbury is a strong base for a weekend with a mix of ages — historic city, good restaurants, countryside on the doorstep. The Weald has some of the best large houses in the South East, with proper grounds and space for bigger groups.

If your group fancies something with a hot tub or pool, check our houses with hot tubs and houses with pools pages for properties in the South East. And if Kent is too close to home, a Brighton weekend or a Cotswolds escape is within easy reach.

Browse all our group houses to find the right fit for your dates and group size.