school term — period of study
collocationB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
A school term is one of the fixed periods into which the school year is divided, when students have classes.
Say it like a native
Textbook The autumn instructional period commences in September.
Native The autumn term starts in September.
'School term' is plain; 'instructional period' is jargon.
Pattern: school term (noun, countable); in/during/at the start/end of the school term
In use
- The new school term starts next Monday, so I need to buy my textbooks this weekend.education
- In my country, each school term lasts about three months, and we usually have exams at the end of every term.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ School starts next term time.
✓ School starts next term.
Just 'next term' — 'term time' is a separate phrase meaning while school is on.
Common collocations
school term + context— the autumn term, next term, during term, end of term
Don't confuse it
'School year' means the whole academic year, while 'school term' is just one part of it.