The Christmas school holidays are almost over so we thought we'd take a look at the school term dates for 2018.

February half term will come early next year - with children only at school for FIVE weeks after the Christmas break before being on holiday again.

And as it stands, not all schools will be off at the same time for the October half term in 2018.

If you’ve got school-age children, you’ll need to consider their holiday dates when you’re sorting out your 2018 trips away plans.

Here’s the holiday dates for local authority schools in Newcastle , Gateshead , Sunderland , Durham , South Tyneside , North Tyneside and Northumberland for 2018 - with this year's Christmas break thrown in for good measure.

It should be noted though that it’s always worth checking with your individual school, as we all know those random little teacher training days can pop up as and when - and might just give you an extra day on the beach!

NEWCASTLE GATESHEAD

The Tyne Bridge and the Gateshead Quayside behind
The Tyne Bridge and the Gateshead Quayside behind

Spring Half Term and Easter

Schools break up on Friday, February 9 and re-open on Monday, February 19

For Easter the last day of term is Thursday, March 29 and the schools go back on Monday, April 16.

May Half Term

Schools break up on Friday, May 25 and re-open on Monday, June 4.

Holidays are a great time to take the little ones to a family friendly museum.

Summer Holidays

The summer break begins at end of classes on Friday, July 20, with the schools back in action on Monday, September 3.

Autumn Half Term

In Gateshead, schools break up on Friday, October 19 to re-open on Monday, October 29.

In Newcastle, schools break up on Friday, October 26 and re-open on Monday, November 5.

Christmas

For Christmas, schools in both authorities break up on December 21 and the kids are back on January 7, 2019.

(For Christmas 2017, schools break up on December 22 and the kids are back on January 8, 2018.)

Remember, no matter which holiday it is, you don't need to spend lots of money to have a good time with the children.

SUNDERLAND

The National Glass Centre
The National Glass Centre

Spring Half Term and Easter

Schools break up on Friday, February 9 and re-open on Monday, February 19

For Easter the last day of term is Thursday, March 29 and the schools go back on Monday, April 16.

May Half Term

Schools break up on Friday, May 25 and re-open on Monday, June 4.

Even if it rains, there's still plenty to keep the kids occupied.

Summer Holidays

The summer break begins at end of classes on Friday, July 20, with the schools back in action on Monday, September 3.

Autumn Half Term

Schools break up on Friday, October 19 to re-open on Monday, October 29.

Christmas

Schools break up on December 21 and the kids are back on January 7, 2019.

(For Christmas 2017, schools break up on December 22 and the kids are back on January 8, 2018.)

Read More

School Holidays

DURHAM

Durham Cathedral
Durham Cathedral

Spring Half Term and Easter

Schools break up on Friday, February 9 and re-open on Monday, February 19

For Easter the last day of term is Thursday, March 29 and the schools go back on Monday, April 16.

May Half Term

Schools break up on Friday, May 25 and re-open on Monday, June 4.

Summer Holidays

The summer break begins at end of classes on Friday, July 20, with the schools back in action on Monday, September 3.

Autumn Half Term

Schools break up on Friday, October 19 to re-open on Monday, October 29.

Christmas

Schools break up on December 21 and the kids are back on January 7, 2019.

(For Christmas 2017, schools break up on December 22 and the kids are back on January 8, 2018.)

NORTHUMBERLAND

Bamburgh village with the castle as a backdrop
Bamburgh village with the castle as a backdrop

Spring Half Term and Easter

Schools break up on Friday, February 9 and re-open on Monday, February 19

For Easter the last day of term is Thursday, March 29 and the schools go back on Monday, April 16.

May Half Term

Schools break up on Friday, May 25 and re-open on Monday, June 4.

Summer Holidays

The summer break begins at end of classes on Friday, July 20, with the schools back in action on Monday, September 3.

Autumn Half Term

Schools break up on Friday, October 26 and re-open on Monday, November 5.

Christmas

Schools break up on December 21 and the kids are back on January 7, 2019.

(For Christmas 2017, schools break up on December 22 and the kids are back on January 8, 2018.)

Northumberland has many places to take the kids too, but here are some you may not have thought of, or heard of!

Autumn Term

Schools break up on October 20 to re-open on October 30.

For Christmas, schools break up on December 22 and the kids are back on January 8, 2018.

SOUTH TYNESIDE/NORTH TYNESIDE

Ocean beach Pleasure Park in South Shields
South Shields

Spring Half Term and Easter

Schools break up on Friday, February 9 and re-open on Monday, February 19

For Easter the last day of term is Thursday, March 29 and the schools go back on Monday, April 16.

May Half Term

Schools break up on Friday, May 25 and re-open on Monday, June 4.

Summer Holidays

The summer break begins at end of classes on Friday, July 20, with the schools back in action on Monday, September 3.

Autumn Half Term

Schools in South Tyneside break up on Friday, October 19 to re-open on Monday, October 29.

Schools in North Tyneside break up on Friday, October 26 and re-open on Monday, November 5.

Christmas

Schools break up on December 21 and the kids are back on January 7, 2019.

(For Christmas 2017, schools break up on December 22 and the kids are back on January 8, 2018.)