Your child must start full-time education once they reach compulsory school age.
For example, if your child reaches compulsory school age on 31 March, they must start full-time education at the beginning of the next term (summer term that year).
The compulsory school age for children
| Date of 5th birthday | Compulsory school age date | Compulsory school age term |
|---|---|---|
| 1 September to 31 December | 31 December | January - start of spring term |
| 1 January to 31 March | 31 March | April - start of summer term |
| 1 April to 31 August (summer born children) | 31 August | September - start of autumn term |
Compulsory school age from January
If your child turns 5 between September and December, they will reach compulsory school age in January. That's at the start of the spring term.
They must be in full-time education in reception from January, where they will complete 2 terms.
The following September they will start year 1.
Compulsory school age from April
If your child turns 5 between January and March, they will reach compulsory school age in April. That's at the start of the summer term.
They must be in full-time education in reception from April where they will complete 1 term.
The following September they will start year 1.
Compulsory school age from September - summer born children
If your child turns 5 between April and August, there are different arrangements. Read our summer born children page for more details.
If your child doesn’t start school at the compulsory school age
If your child does not start at the allocated school once they reach compulsory school age, your details will be passed to Education Welfare.
If your circumstances change
You must tell School Admissions if your circumstances change before starting school.
For example, if you:
- move house
- decide to educate your child at home
- decide to educate your child at a private or independent school