If you are searching for Easter school holidays 2026 London, SEND school transport Easter break, or when do schools break up for Easter in London, this guide has everything you need. The Easter school holiday period for the 2025/26 academic year falls across the same core window for most boroughs, giving families a consistent two-week break to plan around.

Here are the confirmed easter holiday dates for each council:

Good Friday falls on 3 April 2026 and Easter Monday on 6 April 2026, both of which are public bank holidays included within the break period. Parents and carers should note that individual academies, free schools, and voluntary-aided schools may set slightly different dates, so always confirm directly with your child’s school.

How does easter affect send school transport?

For families of children with special educational needs and disabilities, the Easter holidays bring important changes to daily SEND home-to-school transport arrangements. Across all six boroughs, council-operated and contracted SEND transport services will be suspended for the duration of the Easter school holiday period, resuming only when schools officially reopen on Monday 13 April 2026.

Parents and carers who rely on council-funded transport for their child’s school run should be aware of the following:

All scheduled SEND transport routes, including dedicated school minibuses, taxi arrangements, and personal transport budgets tied to term-time travel, will pause during the Easter break. If your child attends any specialist provision or extended school programme that remains open during part of the holiday, it is essential to contact your local council’s transport team well in advance to confirm whether transport assistance will still be available for those sessions.

Additionally, families using Personal Transport Budgets should check with their council whether payments continue during the holiday period or pause alongside the transport schedule. Each borough manages this slightly differently, so early communication with your SEND transport coordinator is strongly recommended.

What parents and carers should do before the break?

Planning ahead makes all the difference for SEND families during school holiday periods. Here is what is recommended ahead of the Easter break:

Confirm your child’s last day of transport with your school or transport provider, and note the exact return date. If your child’s school or specialist provision has different term dates to the council’s published dates, verify this directly. Contact your SEND transport team or local authority if you have any concerns about cover during any holiday or transition programmes your child may attend. If you are a carer who relies on school transport to manage work commitments, begin making alternative arrangements well before the break begins.

For families in Hackney, Islington, Hammersmith and Fulham, Waltham Forest, Camden, and Haringey, each council’s SEND and Children’s Services team can provide guidance specific to your child’s Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and transport entitlement.

Local holiday activities and support for families

The Easter break does not have to be a stressful period for families. Across all six boroughs, a range of holiday activities, local events, and community support services are typically available during the school holiday period, many of which are inclusive and accessible for children with SEND.

Families are encouraged to check their local council’s website and family hubs for Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme listings, which are funded by the government and available to children who receive benefits-related free school meals – including many children with SEND. These programmes offer free or subsidised activities during the Easter holiday period across London.

Local leisure centres, parks, libraries, and community organisations across Hackney, Islington, Hammersmith and Fulham, Waltham Forest, Camden, and Haringey regularly run Easter-themed events and workshops for children and young people. Checking your council’s events pages in the weeks leading up to Easter is the best way to find inclusive activities close to home.

Returning to school after easter: what to expect

All six councils confirm that schools return for the summer term on Monday 13 April 2026. SEND transport services will resume in line with this date, following the usual arrangements set out in each child’s EHCP or transport agreement.

Parents and carers should allow a little extra time on the first morning back, as roads around schools can be busier than usual after a holiday period. Confirming pick-up times and any route changes with your transport provider in the final days before the break ends is always a good idea, particularly if your child’s school has introduced any new arrangements for the summer term.

Let Jimac Cars provide safe and reliable transport for families and young people with SEND needs, making every journey easier and stress-free. Whether it is a consistent school run during term time or tailored transport support around holiday schedules, Jimac Cars is a trusted partner for SEND families across Hackney, Islington, Hammersmith and Fulham, Waltham Forest, Camden, Haringey, and beyond – ensuring every child travels with the care, comfort, and reliability they deserve.