Most English schools break in the week of 26 October 2026. If you can fly out on a Tuesday and return mid-week, you are not competing with every classroom in Greater Manchester.
For UK–Brazil families this matters twice. European connections through Lisbon, Madrid and Amsterdam fill from the inside. A cheap Friday Manchester–Lisbon that dumps you into a missed São Paulo connection is not cheap.
What to do this week
Hold fares with a card that does not punish cancellation. If a school-term letter is required, write it now.
If a child holds two passports, check expiry before half-term week. Renewals are not a weekend errand.
Source to verify. Cross-check your local authority calendar. England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland do not share one holiday map.
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