Calendars should be planned in accordance with DE Circular 2026/10, which can be accessed on the DEwebsite or through the following link: Circular 2026 10 - School Operational Days and Hours
Your 2026/27 school holiday calendar return should be submitted to the Education Authority by emailing to SchoolHoliday.Returns@eani.org.uk no later than Wednesday 1 April 2026. Please inform your Catering Supervisor, Bus Driver(s), Building Supervisor and any other relevant support staff of your final calendar for 2026/27.
To assist you with planning your calendar for 2026/27, please find enclosed the dates on which school transport, school meals and EA non-hazardous waste contracted collection services (ID: 3430459 and FMM-24-002) supplied by RiverRidge and Washroom Waste Services supplied by PHS, will not operate in 2026/27. On these dates school meals and all home-to- school transport services will not be available; and Translink travel passes will not be valid.
Please note that if a Board of Governors chooses to open their school to pupils on an EA non-operational date, they must ensure that parents are aware of this. They should give due regard to how the school will comply with the above DE Circular, with all requirements in relation to the provision of Free School Meals, Pupil Transport and pupil safety etc.
We would also take the opportunity to remind schools that if they propose to change their opening/closing dates and require home to school transport services, they must first liaise with the transport service so we can determine if there is network capacity to accommodate the proposed change.
Any queries regarding non-operational dates can be emailed to oe.correspondence@eani.org.uk.
School holiday calendar queries can be emailed to schoolholiday.returns@eani.org.uk
Non-operational dates for home to school transport, school meals and waste collection services 2026/27.
| Non-Operational Dates (Inclusive) | Number of Days |
|---|---|
| 1 – 31 August 2026 | 21 |
| 29 and 30 October 2026 | 2 |
| 21 December 2026 – 1 January 2027 | 10 |
| 11 and 12 February 2027 | 2 |
| 17 March 2027 | 1 |
| 25 March- 2 April 2027 | 7 |
| 3 May 2027 | 1 |
| 31 May 2027 | 1 |
| 1 - 31 July 2027 | 22 |
| TOTAL | 67 This leaves 3 days for optional closure days to be determined at the discretion of the Board of Governors. |
This leaves 3 days for optional closure at the discretion of the Board of Governors and these should be identified on your calendar return as HD – Optional (Half Day) or O – Optional (Full Day).