School age and summer-born children

Most children start reception in the September after their fourth birthday. If your child was born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022, they are eligible to start school from 1 September 2026.

The latest they may start is when they reach compulsory school age. A child reaches compulsory school age on the prescribed day following their fifth birthday (or on their fifth birthday if it falls on a prescribed day). 

The prescribed days are 31 December, 31 March and 31 August.

Admission of summer-born children

In rare cases, parents of summer-born children (born between 1 April and 31 August) may feel their child isn’t ready to start school before age five. 

They can request to delay admission so the child enters reception a year later. They will be admitted out of their normal age group, at the point at which other children in their age range are beginning Year 1.

Read more about delayed entry for summer-born children in our admissions policy.