THE new year is underway as students across the UK return to school ahead of the new term.

But what dates are the next half term's in 2022? Here are the key dates for your diary.

When are the next school holidays?

UK schools return this week after a two week Christmas break, starting on December 17 for most schools.

Most students will be returning to school from Tuesday, January 4, after Monday's bank holiday, though specific schools may differ.

The next school holiday is the spring half term which is due to take place in mid to late February.

The half term is scheduled to begin from Monday, February 14 for five days, for some schools across England including Leicestershire and Scotland.

Some councils vary, meaning that most spring half terms in England and Wales are due to begin on Monday, February 21 for five days.

What are the school term dates for 2022?

Some schools have early-term times, so it is always worth checking with your school directly, or you can check the exact dates for your area head here.

school TERM DATES

Schools in Leicestershire and Scotland have an early holiday structure, while the rest of England and Wales begin their breaks a week later.

Here are the average term dates in schools in England, until the beginning of the next academic year:

• Spring term: Tuesday, January 4 – Friday, February 11, 2022
• Spring half-term: Monday, February 21 – Friday, February 25, 2022
• Spring term continues: Monday 28 February – Friday 1 April 2022
• Easter holiday: Monday, April 11 – Friday, April 22, 2022
• Summer term: Monday, April 25 – Friday, May 27, 2022
• Summer half-term: Monday, May 30 – Friday, June 3, 2022
• Summer terms continues: Monday, June 6 – Friday, July 22, 2022
• Summer holiday: Monday, July 25 – Monday, September 5, 2022

Is it illegal to take your children on holiday during term time?

An increasing number of parents may be tempted to take their children out of school to benefit from cheaper holiday deals during term time.

However, by doing so, parents run the risk of heavy fines and potentially even imprisonment.

Once your child is registered at a school, the law says you must send them to school every day and on time.

The law changed in September 2013 and schools are no longer allowed to let parents take their children out of school for up to ten days in term time.

Only in exceptional circumstances can you write to the headteacher and ask to take your child out of school.

Why is it more expensive to travel during school holidays?

Simply put, it's a question of supply and demand.

More holidaymakers tend to jet off during peak school holiday times placing a huge demand on airlines and hotels, causing the prices to surge.

Research from Kayak previously found prices go up by as much as £400 during school holidays.

There have been continued calls for the government to intervene and force tour operators to lower their prices during the holidays so fewer children are taken out of school during term time.

While it may work out cheaper to take kids out of school to go on holiday, parents could be left with huge fines for doing so.

Parents who take their kids out of school will be slapped with an immediate £60 fine which rises to £120 if it's not paid within 21 days.

According to a BBC report, during the 2017/2018 academic year, Local Education Authorities in England issued almost 223,000 fines for children being taken out of school for term-time breaks – a rise of 93% on the previous year.

It's been revealed that almost 20,000 people were taken to court in 2015 after their children missed school without permission – an increase of more than a fifth.

Parents and guardians could receive a fine of up to £2,500, a community order or a jail sentence of up to three months if a child is missing school without a valid reason.

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