Moving July/August-born child from English to Northern Irish Primary School

[HannahC86]

Hello, we are planning on eventually moving from England to N Ireland by which time our daughter will have already started primary school in England. From what I can gather the two systems have slightly different cut-offs for when a child starts school - in England if the child is 4 turning 5 in the next academic year they start in September, but in Ireland, only children who have turned 4 by June 30th start in September, meaning anyone who turns 4 in July or August waits until the following academic year. I wondered if anyone can confirm this, and also if anyone has experience moving a summer-born child between the two systems. My daughter is born in August so would be youngest in her class in England and then a year behind and the oldest in N Ireland. What happens when you transfer? Would the school put her back down to the class below to be consistent with their rules, or keep her in the same class where she would be younger than everyone? As my daughter hasn't started school yet and knowing we plan to move we could perhaps delay sending her so she would be on schedule as per N Ireland system to avoid jumping up and down classes in the move. (However, added complication, there is a good chance we would move back to England before secondary school, so she would face that then anyway.) Would love to hear anyone else's experience of this, how you handled it and how it was for your child. Thanks so much!

Hey am in a very similar place am moving over in August with my son has learning difficulties . He is on sen list has a Educational therapist statement and Ipp in school but no (Ehcp plan ) We have had look at the school by dromore codown and around there area . But the one we wanted was say he wouldn't get in if her mot in primary school NI to get a placement . My son will need a school with lot a help in the class room as . I was looking at dromore high and they told me he would not get in to the school with out been in primary school here does any on if banbridge high is there same ?

Just marking my place. Will come back when I am up to reply.

In England you can defer school entry for Summer born children ( April- August) so she would start " in year" in NI. However that would mean another year of nursery, I am not sure whether all LAs would support that.

I've two friends who moved over previously who have July and August birthdays, one primary one secondary. Both stayed with the year group they'd been with in England so are both very young by NI standard. I think cut off is 1st July at the minute. I'd think about deferring and give her the extra year at preschool.

The cut off is 1st July @HannahC86 .
As you have no definite date/plans about moving I would stick to the English system in case something unforeseen happens and the move is delayed/ does not take place as planned. Then deal with the move as and when you actually move. Some schools in NI I think would place her as per NI criteria and others may be more flexible. I think most would be open for discussion as to what is best for your child.

@Whitxx It is not entirely clear if your son is entering Year 8 ( year 7 in England) or another year group.
If entering year 8(7) the applications for it open on the EANI online portal on 30/1 and close on 22/2 at noon. This is the only way to apply for Year 8(7) . The admissions criteria for each school is on their website.

Dromore High School is oversubscribed each year. Quite often they are only able to admit children transferring from the 3 tier 1 schools ( listed on their admissions criteria)

Banbridge High School might not be so oversubscribed. You still would have to follow the admissions procedures for admission in September 2024.

You might be best to contact Special Education at EANI regarding his needs. A child with a statement in NI will be placed in a school over and above the admissions process (assuming the school is suitable to meet their needs)

I don't live in NI now, but all my family do. For primary school, there is no reception.
Children who are 4 before the end of June go into P1.They stay at primary school until P7, when they will be 11, before they go to high school or grammar school.

NI still has selection (like 11÷), and schools are still usually religion based, but thankfully, there are more integrated schools now.
If your daughter was in Y1 here, she would go to P1 there, etc.