When are the Easter school holidays 2021? Start and end dates for break in England

All primary and secondary schools were closed as part of the third national lockdown, but pupils returned to classrooms on 8 March.

After months of remote learning, Boris Johnson announced that schools would reopen to all students as part of his first step of lockdown easing.

Additional safety measures have been put in place, including face coverings in classrooms and rapid Covid testing.

But after a stressful year, pupils and teachers will be eagerly looking forward to some time off.

So, when is the school Easter holiday in England this year?

Here is everything you need to know.

Why did schools close?

Primary and secondary schools across England were forced to close after Boris Johnson’s third lockdown announcement on the evening of Monday 4 January.

Mr Johnson said the NHS was at risk of being overwhelmed within 21 days if further restrictions were not introduced.

“I completely understand the inconvenience and distress this late change will cause millions of parents and pupils up and down the country,” he said at the time.

The prime minister explained that schools had to shut to prevent the spread of the disease and the new coronavirus strain which had emerged in the UK.

He said: “Because we now have to do everything we possibly can to stop the spread of the disease, primary schools, secondary schools and colleges across England must move to remote provision from tomorrow, except for vulnerable children and the children of key workers.

“Everyone will still be able to access early years settings such as nurseries.”

Mr Johnson stressed that schools were not closing because they were unsafe for children, but because they act as “vectors for transmission” between households.

All pupils then went back in a “big bang approach” on 8 March.

The government had insisted that opening schools again remains the “top priority” when it comes to easing restrictions.

When is the school Easter holiday in England?

The Easter holiday in England usually lasts for two weeks but its start date can vary across the country.

The spring break for most schools in the 2020/21 academic year will run from Thursday 1 April to Friday 16 April.

This means most students are expected to return to classrooms on Monday 19 April.

However, parents should double check dates with their local council which should have all the term dates published online.

This government postcode checker will help you to find your local authority’s website.

You can also check when the holiday is with your local school as term dates can vary between institutions.