More time where it counts: Abbeygate confirms new term dates

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Following a period of consultation and feedback, we are making changes to the structure of the college day and our term dates to increase teaching time at key points in the year and strengthen the support available during enrolment and results days.

These changes will take place in two stages:

A bridging arrangement for the remainder of the current academic year
Permanent arrangements beginning from September 2026

To help us transition smoothly into our new calendar, we are making a small adjustment to lesson lengths while keeping the start and finish times of the day exactly the same.

Bridging arrangements (from Monday 26 January 2026 to July 2026)

The college day starts and ends at the current times
Sessions 1, 2 and 3 will each be extended by five minutes
This adds 15 minutes of teaching per day
The change supports a slightly earlier finish to the academic year

Timings of the day

Session 1: 09:15 - 10:35
Break: 10:35 - 10:45
Session 2: 10:45 - 12:05
Break: 12:05 - 12:15
Session 3: 12:15 - 13:35
Lunch: 13:35 - 14:20
Session 4: 14:20 - 15:35

End of year dates

Students finish: Friday the 10th of July 2026
Teachers finish: Monday the 13th of July 2026, with this day disaggregated for mandatory training and compliance updates

Permanent arrangements from September 2026

From September 2026, the college will move to new term dates and a revised timetable structure designed to:

Increase teaching time before students sit exams
Reduce time in college after exams conclude
Better support students at enrolment and on A-level results day
Introduce a two-week October half term to support wellbeing and reduce seasonal illness

Daily timings from September 2026

Session 1: 09:10 – 10:30
Break: 10:30 – 10:40
Session 2: 10:40 – 12:00
Break: 12:00 – 12:10
Session 3: 12:10 – 13:30
Lunch: 13:30 – 14:15
Session 4: 14:15 – 15:35

Why we are making these changes

These decisions have been shaped by feedback we’ve received, and the primary purpose is to ensure that teaching time is placed where it is most beneficial for student learning. Under the current model, considerable curriculum time takes place after students have completed their exams. By rebalancing the year so that more learning happens earlier - particularly ahead of A-level exams - students will benefit from extended preparation time and more tailored support when it matters most.

A second priority is strengthening the staffing available for both results days and enrolment. These moments are critical to supporting Year 13s with their next steps and ensuring new students make well-informed course choices. Shifting the working year so that staff return during the second half of August will allow Abbeygate to offer a more personalised service to students at these key transition points.