Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Term Dates Planner England: Free Printable Planner for Year 3
- ForYear 3
- StageKey Stage 2
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Term Dates Planner England is a free printable planner for Year 3 (ages 7 to 8). Children fill in their own school's term dates, then keep the planner somewhere handy. It takes about 10 minutes, needs only a pencil, and page 2 gives the grown up notes, help ideas, a stretch idea and answers.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children fill in a table with their school's dates. The headings are term, first day, half term and last day. There are also lines for writing. Your child needs the dates from the school website, a newsletter or a letter home. They copy each date carefully, then check it by reading it back. The finished planner can go on the fridge or in a school bag.
- Term
- First day
- Half term
- Last day
Ways to use the finished planner
Stick it up
Put the completed planner on the fridge or a bedroom wall. Children can look at it when they want to know how long until the next break.
Read it together
Once a month, ask your child to point to the next date on the planner. Say what is coming up and how many weeks away it might be.
Add a family date
Use the lines to write one family plan, such as a visit or a trip. This helps children link school dates to their own life.
Check against a calendar
Lay the planner next to a wall calendar. Find each date on the calendar and tick it on the planner once it matches.
Why term dates matter
In England, the school year is split into terms. Many schools have an autumn term, a spring term and a summer term, with a half term break in the middle of each. Holidays sit between the terms. Families and teachers use these dates to plan childcare, trips and time together, so knowing them is a real life skill.
Term dates are not exactly the same everywhere. Local authorities set dates for many schools, while some schools and academy trusts choose their own. That is why this sheet asks children to fill in their own school's dates. Copying real dates from a school source gives children a reason to read carefully and write accurately.
Quick facts about the school year
- Many schools in England have three terms each year: autumn, spring and summer.
- Half term is a short break in the middle of a term.
- Different schools can have different term dates, even in the same town.
- Schools usually share their term dates on their website or in a letter.
- A date is made up of the day, the month and the year.
Skills and curriculum link
- Planning
- Writing dates
- Organisation
- Copying accurately
- Reading a table
Helping your child fill it in
- Find the dates firstLook at the school website, a newsletter or a letter from school. Put it on the table so your child can see it while they write.
- Write dates in fullEncourage your child to write the day and the month name clearly. Spell month names with the help of a calendar if needed.
- Read it backWhen a row is finished, ask your child to read it aloud. Then check it against the school's list together.
- Keep it where it is seenA planner only helps if it is easy to find. Choose a place the family looks at every day.
Key words
- TermA block of weeks when school is open.
- Half termA short break in the middle of a term.
- Term datesThe days when each school term starts and ends.
- DateThe day, the month and the year written together.
- CalendarA chart that shows the days, weeks and months of a year.
- PlannerA page where you write down what is coming up so you can get ready.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2 for yourself.
- Find your school's term dates from the school website, a newsletter or a letter. Put them beside the sheet.
- Work through the first row together. Talk about where each date comes from and how to write it clearly.
- Let your child fill in the rest of the table. It takes about 10 minutes. Then check it against the notes and answers on page 2.
- Stick the planner on the fridge or a wall. Come back to it each term and talk about what is next.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
A grown up reads the dates out slowly while the child writes them. Do one row at a time and let your child say each date back before writing. Keep a calendar nearby so they can see where each month falls.
To stretch confident children
Count how many weeks are in each term. Use a calendar and count the weeks from the first day to the last day of the term. Write the number next to each term, then say which term is longest.
Make it a game
Colour in each half term break on the planner when it arrives. Use a different colour for each one. At the end of the year, look at the colours together and talk about the year so far.
Talk about it
- Why do you think schools have term dates?
- Which date on your planner are you looking forward to most?
- How could this planner help our family get ready for a busy week?
- What is the difference between a term and a half term?
- How would you check that you copied a date correctly?
- If you could add one plan to the planner, what would it be?
Take it off the page
Make a wall calendar
Draw a simple grid on a large piece of paper for one month. Write in the dates and mark school days and breaks with colours.
Date hunt
Look for dates around the house, such as on letters, packets and posters. Read each one aloud and say the day, month and year.
Count down chart
Pick one date from the planner. Make a paper chain or a tally chart and cross off a day at a time until it arrives.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit with your child for the first row, then let them lead. Have the school's dates ready before you start. Once it is filled in, put the planner somewhere the whole family can see it.
Teachers
Use it at the start of the school year as a settling in task, a homework task or an early finisher activity. Send home a copy of the term dates so every child has the same source to copy from.
Home educators
Use it at the start of the year to plan your own timetable. Home educators may follow different dates, so children can fill in the dates your family uses and add visits or trips on the lines.
Where this fits
Before this, children learn the days of the week and the months of the year, and begin to use a calendar. They practise writing carefully and copying information from one place to another.
After this, children use dates and time in more situations. They read timetables and calendars, work out how long until an event, and plan their own time. Filling in a planner is a small first step towards organising themselves.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Term Dates Planner England for?
It is written for Year 3 (ages 7 to 8), in Key Stage 2. Older or younger children can use it too if they can copy dates with a little help from a grown up.
- What will children practise?
They practise planning, writing dates and organisation. Children copy their own school's term dates into a table, which helps them read carefully and keep track of the school year.
- How long does it take?
It takes about 10 minutes. The time depends on how quickly your child finds and copies the dates. Working through the first row together helps the rest go smoothly.
- Where do I find my school's term dates?
Check the school website, a newsletter or a letter sent home. If you cannot find them, ask the school office. Dates can differ between schools, so use your own school's list.
- What if it feels too hard?
A grown up can read the dates out while the child writes them. Do one row at a time and check each one together. Keep a calendar nearby to help with months.
- Is it free and screen free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. It needs only paper and a pencil, so it works well for quiet time, rainy days and school holidays.
- Can teachers and home educators use it?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, homework or early finisher task with no preparation beyond printing. Home educators can use it on its own or as part of a wider plan.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.