Key Dates
at John Taylor Free School
Important Dates for the School Year
This page highlights important upcoming dates and events across the school year, including term dates, key events, trips and examinations.
Full details and reminders are shared through school communications and newsletters. This page is intended to provide an at‑a‑glance overview to help families plan ahead.
Term Dates 2026/27
Autumn Term 2026
Staff INSET days
Tuesday 1 September
Wednesday 2 September
Friday 23 October
Term starts
Thursday 3 September: Year 7 and Year 12 only
Friday 4 September: All year groups
Half term
Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October
Term ends
Friday 18 December (12:30pm finish)
Holiday
Monday 21 December – Friday 1 January
Spring Term 2027
Staff INSET day
Monday 4 January
Term starts
Tuesday 5 January
Half term
Monday 15 February – Friday 19 February
Term ends
Thursday 25 March
Holiday
Friday 26 March – Friday 9 April
Summer Term 2027
May Day Bank Holiday
Monday 3 May
Staff INSET day (JTMAT Training Day)
Friday 2 July
Term starts
Monday 12 April
Half term
Monday 31 May – Friday 4 June
Term ends
Wednesday 21 July (12:30pm finish)
Holiday
Thursday 22 July – Wednesday 1 September
The School Day
Students must be on site by 8:45am each day and in their Personal Tutor room by 8:50am.
The school day runs from 8:50am to 3:20pm, with an earlier finish of 3:05pm on Wednesdays. This includes break and lunchtime, but does not include after‑school activities.
This provides a total of 32 hours and 15 minutes across the school week.
The school day is structured slightly differently depending on year group and day of the week.
Years 7, 9 and 11
| MON, TUE, THU & FRI | WED | |
|---|---|---|
| 08:50 – 09:20 | Personal Tutor Time | 08:50 – 09:05 |
| 09:20 – 10:10 | Lesson 1 | 09:05 – 09:55 |
| 10:10 – 10:30 | Break | 09:55 – 10:15 |
| 10:30 – 11:20 | Lesson 2 | 10:15 – 11:05 |
| 11:20 – 12:10 | Lesson 3 | 11:05 – 11:55 |
| 12:10 – 12:50 | Lunch | 11:55 – 12:35 |
| 12:50 – 13:40 | Lesson 4 | 12:35 – 13:25 |
| 13:40 – 14:30 | Lesson 5 | 13:25 – 14:15 |
| 14:30 – 15:20 | Lesson 6 | 14:15 – 15:05 |
Years 8, 10 and Post 16
| MON, TUE, THU & FRI | WED | |
|---|---|---|
| 08:50 – 09:20 | Personal Tutor Time | 08:50 – 09:05 |
| 09:20 – 10:10 | Lesson 1 | 09:05 – 09:55 |
| 10:10 – 11:00 | Lesson 2 | 09:55 – 10:45 |
| 11:00 – 11:20 | Break | 10:45 – 11:05 |
| 11:20 – 12:10 | Lesson 3 | 11:05 – 11:55 |
| 12:10 – 13:00 | Lesson 4 | 11:55 – 12:45 |
| 13:00 – 13:40 | Lunch | 12:45 – 13:25 |
| 13:40 – 14:30 | Lesson 5 | 13:25 – 14:15 |
| 14:30 – 15:20 | Lesson 6 | 14:15 – 15:05 |
Upcoming Events
September 2026
Tuesday 1 September and Wednesday 2 September: INSET Days (school closed to students)
Thursday 3 September: Year 7 and Year 12 return to school
Friday 4 September: All students return to school