Dubai schools October half-term 2026:Parents at several private schools in Dubai are having to rethink their October holiday plans after schools moved the upcoming half-term break forward by one week. The change affects a number of private schools, particularly those following the British curriculum, and some families have already been asked to revise flight and travel bookings.

New October School Holiday Dates

Under the revised schedule, the mid-term holiday will begin on Monday, October 12, 2026, and continue until Friday, October 16. With the two weekends included, students will effectively get a nine-day break from Saturday, October 10, through Sunday, October 18.

Schools are expected to reopen on Monday, October 19, 2026, marking the return to regular classes after the break.

Why Have Dubai Schools Changed the Dates?

The change follows guidance from Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) regarding the unified three-term academic calendar set by the UAE Ministry of Education.

Some schools had previously published calendars showing their October break from October 19 to October 23. The updated dates mean those schools have had to bring the holiday forward by a week to remain aligned with the required academic schedule.

Which Schools Are Affected?

A number of well-known private schools have informed parents about the revised holiday dates. Schools reported to have issued updates include:

  • Dubai British School

  • Safa British School

  • Arab Unity School

  • Dove Green Private School

  • GEMS Wellington International School

Parents at affected schools are being advised to check the latest communication from their child's school before making or changing travel arrangements.

Not Every Dubai School Follows the Same Calendar

The revised dates should not automatically be assumed to apply to every private school in Dubai. Schools following different curriculum systems may operate according to separate academic schedules.

In particular, Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi curriculum schools may not necessarily be affected by this particular change. Parents should therefore rely on the official calendar issued by their own school.

What Parents Need to Know

The biggest impact of the change is likely to be on families who had already booked flights, hotels or holiday packages based on the earlier October dates. Moving the break forward by a week could mean that some parents need to rearrange their plans.

For now, families should check their school's latest notification and confirm the exact term dates before finalising any October travel plans.