In-service days in Scotland 2026/27

What an in-service day is

An in-service day is a working day for teachers when pupils stay at home. Teachers carry out duties planned by the council, such as training and planning. Some councils call them staff development or staff training days.

Where the five days come from

The national teachers' agreement sets a working year of 195 days. Of those, 190 coincide with the pupil school year. The other five are worked on duties planned by the council. Source: SNCT Handbook, Part 2, Section 3.

The SNCT is the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers. It agrees teachers' pay and conditions nationally.

Councils must also open schools to pupils for at least 190 days a year. Source: Schools General (Scotland) Regulations 1975, regulation 5.

Why councils differ

There is no national in-service calendar. Each council chooses its own dates when it sets its school year. That is why a family with children in two council areas can have different days off.

When they usually fall

The pattern in 2026/27 is similar across Scotland.

• August: every council has at least one at the start of the session. Most have two. The Western Isles has three, from 10 to 12 August 2026.
• October and November: 15 councils have one in October and 13 in November. Most of the October days sit next to the October break.
• January and February: 30 councils have one in February, beside the mid-term break. Edinburgh and Midlothian use early January instead.
• April and May: 25 councils have one in May. Falkirk and Stirling use Friday 30 April 2027.

The 6 May 2027 in-service day

Thursday 6 May 2027 is the day of the Scottish local government elections. Eleven councils have an in-service day on that date. They include Glasgow, Fife, Highland, North and South Lanarkshire and West Lothian.

Glasgow and North Lanarkshire link the date to the elections. Glasgow says it may change.

How in-service days change holidays

An in-service day next to a holiday makes the break longer for pupils. Two examples from 2026/27:

• Glasgow: Friday 9 October 2026 is an in-service day. Pupils are off from 9 to 16 October and return on Monday 19 October.
• Edinburgh: Tuesday 5 January 2027 is an in-service day. Pupils return after Christmas on Wednesday 6 January.

Teachers' first day back

In-service days at the start of the session mean teachers return before pupils. In Glasgow, teachers were back on Monday 10 August 2026 and pupils on Wednesday 12 August.

2027/28

Of the councils that have published 2027/28 dates, all but one list five in-service days. North Ayrshire's 2027/28 calendar shows four so far.

Before you plan

In-service days move more often than holidays. Check your school's calendar a few weeks ahead, especially for days in May.

Quick answers

How many in-service days are there in Scotland?

Five a year. Every council has five in-service days in 2026/27.

Why do Scottish teachers have in-service days?

Teachers work 195 days a year and pupils attend for 190. The other five days are worked on duties planned by the council, under the national SNCT agreement.

Are in-service days the same across Scotland?

No. Each council sets its own dates, so neighbouring councils often differ.

When are the in-service days in Glasgow in 2026/27?

Monday 10 and Tuesday 11 August 2026, and Friday 9 October 2026. In 2027 they are Wednesday 17 February and Thursday 6 May. Glasgow says the May date may change.

Do pupils go to school on in-service days?

No. Schools are closed to pupils, but teachers work as normal.