Worthing's 2026/27 term dates: half term 26 to 30 October, Christmas break from 18 December, back 4 January. INSET days for Worthing High, Bohunt, Sion, more.
West Sussex County Council’s 2026/27 dates apply to its community and voluntary controlled schools in Worthing. Most of the town’s academies and the sixth form college follow the same holidays, but each adds its own staff training (INSET) days, and the independent Our Lady of Sion breaks earlier and for longer.
The quick answer
- October half term is Monday 26 to Friday 30 October 2026.
- The autumn term ends on Friday 18 December, and schools go back on Monday 4 January 2027.
- Our Lady of Sion has a two-week half term from 19 to 30 October and finishes for Christmas on 11 December.
West Sussex term dates 2026/27
| Term | Starts | Half term | Ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn 2026 | Tuesday 1 September | Monday 26 to Friday 30 October | Friday 18 December |
| Spring 2027 | Monday 4 January | Monday 15 to Friday 19 February | Thursday 25 March |
| Summer 2027 | Monday 12 April | Monday 31 May to Friday 4 June | Wednesday 21 July |
(West Sussex County Council, school term dates, updated 17 September 2026)
That gives a Christmas break from Monday 21 December to Friday 1 January, and an Easter break from Friday 26 March to Friday 9 April 2027. The county sets dates for a school year of about 195 days and lets each school use five of them for INSET. It says its dates “may not apply to academies, voluntary aided schools, further education and sixth form colleges” or independent schools, so check with your child’s school.
The county has also published 2027/28: the autumn term starts on Wednesday 1 September 2027, half term is 25 to 29 October 2027, and the term ends on Friday 17 December 2027.
School by school
These are the dates each school publishes itself. The holidays match the county calendar except where noted, but the INSET days differ, and those are the days that catch parents out.
| School | Holidays | INSET or closure days, 2026/27 |
|---|---|---|
| Worthing High School | Same as the county | 1 and 2 Sep, 28 Sep, 22 and 23 Oct, 27 and 30 Nov, 4 Jan, 25 Jun |
| Durrington High School | Same as the county | 1 and 2 Sep, 27 Nov, 21 and 22 Jan, 8 Mar, 25 Jun |
| Bohunt Worthing | Same as the county | 1 Sep, 25 Sep, 25 Nov, 4 Dec, 4 Jan, 7 Jun, 22 Jun; early closure on the last day of the autumn, spring and summer terms |
| Davison CE High School | Same as the county | 1 and 2 Sep, 7 Oct, 30 Nov, and a fifth day listed as Friday 19 March |
| Our Lady of Sion (independent) | Half term 19 to 30 Oct; autumn term ends 11 Dec; spring 4 Jan to 25 Mar; summer 19 Apr to 2 Jul | 16 Oct and 22 Feb, with work set for pupils at home |
| Worthing College | Autumn teaching from 7 Sep to 18 Dec; summer term ends 25 Jun | Classes start Tue 5 Jan; no classes 29 Sep (staff day) or 3 Mar (curriculum staff); summer half term Tue 1 to Fri 4 Jun |
Sources for each row: Worthing High (2026-2027 parents’ PDF), Durrington High, Bohunt Worthing, Davison, Our Lady of Sion, Worthing College.
Three things stand out.
- Worthing High pupils start October half term two days early. Thursday 22 and Friday 23 October are INSET days, so the break runs from 22 October to 30 October. The school lists nine INSET days in all. Its INSET list gives the January day as “Friday, 4 January 2027”, but 4 January 2027 is a Monday and the same document’s term table has the spring term starting with an INSET day on Monday 4 January.
- Worthing High and Durrington both close on Friday 27 November, and Worthing High is also closed on Monday 30 November, a four-day weekend for its pupils.
- Davison’s fifth INSET day is printed as “Friday 19th March 2026” in its 2026/27 list. 19 March 2027 is a Friday in the spring term, so that is the likely date. Check with the school.
At Bohunt Worthing, Year 7 and Year 11 started on 2 September and the whole school returned on 3 September. Pupils go back in January on Tuesday 5 January and after the summer half term on Tuesday 8 June, because the day before each is an INSET day.
Primary schools
Most Worthing primaries follow the county dates, and each sets its own five INSET days. The county does not publish a list of them, so the school’s own website or newsletter is the only reliable place to check.
What else is on the calendar
- For the half term week itself, including what is on in Worthing, see October half term in Worthing.
- Bin rounds and the tip change over Christmas: see Worthing Christmas bin collections.
- Travelling over the break: see Worthing Christmas travel.
Frequently asked questions
When is October half term 2026 in Worthing?
Monday 26 to Friday 30 October 2026 for West Sussex council schools and most Worthing academies. Worthing High pupils are also off on 22 and 23 October, and Our Lady of Sion has a two-week half term from 19 to 30 October.
When do Worthing schools break up for Christmas 2026?
Friday 18 December 2026 for West Sussex council schools, Worthing High, Durrington, Bohunt, Davison and Worthing College. Our Lady of Sion finishes on Friday 11 December.
When do Worthing schools go back in January 2027?
Monday 4 January 2027 on the county calendar. Several schools use that day for INSET, so pupils at Worthing High, Bohunt and Worthing College start on Tuesday 5 January.
When is February half term 2027 in West Sussex?
Monday 15 to Friday 19 February 2027.
When does the 2026/27 school year end?
Wednesday 21 July 2027 on the county calendar. Our Lady of Sion finishes on 2 July and Worthing College’s summer term ends on 25 June.
Sources
- West Sussex County Council, school term dates, updated 17 September 2026
- Worthing High School, term dates and its 2026-2027 parents’ calendar (PDF)
- Durrington High School, term dates
- Bohunt Worthing, term dates
- Davison CE High School, term dates
- Our Lady of Sion, term dates
- Worthing College, term dates
- All read 25 September 2026
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