Trafford schools break for October half term on Friday 23 October and return on 2 November. Christmas runs 19 December to 3 January. Every date for 2026/27.

Trafford’s schools break up for October half term on Friday 23 October 2026 and go back on Monday 2 November. The council publishes one calendar for the borough. Several of the big Altrincham schools set their own, and some break earlier.

The quick answer

  • October half term: Monday 26 to Friday 30 October 2026. Altrincham Prep breaks a week earlier, on Friday 16 October.
  • Christmas: last day Friday 18 December, back Monday 4 January 2027.
  • Summer 2027: Trafford’s calendar ends Wednesday 21 July. Both Altrincham grammar schools finish on Friday 16 July.

Checked on 25 September 2026 against the council’s and each school’s own published dates.

Trafford Council term dates 2026/27

From the council’s term dates and holidays page:

Term Opens Closes School days
Autumn 1 Tuesday 1 September 2026 Friday 23 October 2026 39
Autumn 2 Monday 2 November 2026 Friday 18 December 2026 35
Spring 1 Monday 4 January 2027 Friday 12 February 2027 30
Spring 2 Monday 22 February 2027 Thursday 25 March 2027 24
Summer 1 Monday 12 April 2027 Friday 28 May 2027 34
Summer 2 Monday 7 June 2027 Wednesday 21 July 2027 33

All schools close on Monday 3 May 2027 for the early May bank holiday.

That gives these holidays:

  • October half term: Monday 26 to Friday 30 October 2026
  • Christmas: Monday 21 December 2026 to Friday 1 January 2027
  • February half term: Monday 15 to Friday 19 February 2027
  • Easter: Friday 26 March to Friday 9 April 2027
  • May half term: Monday 31 May to Friday 4 June 2027

The council calls its dates “a general guide” because many schools set their own or make local adjustments. INSET days are set school by school and are not on the council calendar.

Where the big Altrincham schools differ

Last day before October half term Last day before Christmas Last day of summer term Staff training days (no pupils)
Trafford calendar Fri 23 Oct Fri 18 Dec Wed 21 Jul Set by each school
Altrincham Grammar School for Boys Thu 22 Oct Thu 17 Dec, 12.20pm Fri 16 Jul, 12.20pm 1 and 2 Sep, 23 Oct
Altrincham Grammar School for Girls Fri 23 Oct Fri 18 Dec Fri 16 Jul 1 Sep, 24 Sep, 10 Mar, 12 Apr, 19 and 20 Jul
Altrincham College Fri 23 Oct (no school Fri 9 Oct) Fri 18 Dec, 12.30pm Wed 21 Jul, 12.30pm 1 and 2 Sep, 9 Oct, 4 Jan, 12 Feb, 25 Jun
Altrincham Preparatory School Fri 16 Oct Fri 18 Dec, 3pm Fri 9 Jul, 12pm 1 and 2 Sep, 22 Feb, 7 Jun

What that means in practice:

  • Altrincham Prep has a two-week October half term, closing on Friday 16 October and reopening on Monday 2 November. It also breaks for May half term a week early, on Friday 21 May, and returns on Tuesday 8 June.
  • AGSB breaks up a day early at both October and Christmas, and its summer term ends five days before the council’s.
  • AGGS finishes on Friday 16 July, because Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 July are training days. It also closes early, at 2.30pm, on Monday 25 January.
  • Altrincham College starts its spring term a day late, on Tuesday 5 January, and its February half term a day early, after Thursday 11 February.

If your child’s school is not listed, its own website is the only reliable source. The council’s table is a starting point, not a promise.

Still to be confirmed

  • AGSB’s entrance exam date is still marked TBC on its 2026-27 calendar.
  • 2027-28: the council has published a calendar starting Monday 6 September 2027. Altrincham College has only a draft so far.

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