When is the October half term 2020? October school holiday dates in England - and whether you can go on holiday

After a return to school in September, the next break for school pupils in England will be in October.

These are the dates for the October half term, along with advice on going away.

When is the October half term?

Generally in England, October half term will fall somewhere between Monday 26 October and Friday 30 October.

However this may vary depending on where in the country you’re located, and what school your child attends.

You can check the exact dates for October half term by inputting your postcode in the government’s school holidays tool.

Can I still go on holiday during half term?

Coronavirus cases are climbing across the UK, with outbreaks also occurring in Europe and across the world.

It’s a fact that makes forward planning difficult, but if you are planning to go abroad during October half term, make sure to check the terms and conditions of flights and hotels very carefully to ensure that they have a fair cancellation and/or refund policy.

It’s advisable to take out comprehensive insurance for your holiday in case the need for cancellation arises.

Currently, travel abroad from England is still permitted, but you should not travel to a country on the UK’s quarantine list unless the purpose is essential. If you do return from a country on the list, you will be subject to a 14-day quarantine on your return.

Holidays within the UK are still permitted, but bear in mind that if you are from a local lockdown area, there may be restrictions on travel unless it’s for essential purposes, meaning you should cancel or re-schedule your break. You can check the restrictions in your area here.

If you are travelling into a local lockdown area on holiday, you should follow the restrictions while you’re there very closely – and avoid staying with anyone from outside your household.

Fresh restrictions may create the need for you to cancel your “staycation”, so you should keep an eye on any changes very carefully. Again, you should check the terms and conditions of your accommodation and travel provider to see whether you’d be entitled compensation or a refund for cancellation.

What are my rights in case of cancellation?

Generally, if the travel company or airline you have booked with has cancelled, you are entitled to a full refund, although during the coronavirus pandemic this hasn’t always been straightforward.

You are also entitled to a refund even if the travel company you have booked with collapses - as has been the case with some in the past couple of months.

You can attempt to get money back from your card firm if you booked with a debit or credit card, if you’re having difficulty getting the money back from a travel company.

The situation is slightly more complicated if your holiday or travel provider hasn’t cancelled, but restrictions on movement are in place.

In some cases, such as if the Foreign Office is advising against travel to the country you’re due to visit, you may be able to claim money back on insurance - if your policy covers coronavirus.

However, if your provider doesn’t cancel, but you are simply worried about your safety, getting money back can be slightly tricky.

You should check the details of your booking carefully, and research your rights in case of cancellation.