Here in England we do have a holiday break in October - called half-term - only a week for most children. My son's begins on Monday 27 October. I do know that different areas in England sometimes have different weeks off, although I think most will have the week I mentioned.
Marlouwrig - not all parts of Essex are 20th October. I am on the edges of Essex (Seven Kings, Ilford) and we don't break up until Monday 27th. Seems really late this year.
My brother lives in Brentwood and one DS goes to school in Chelmsford and the other in Ilford. Make planning trips to Mickey Mouse really difficult when holidays don't coincide