At what age legally do children have to start primary school?

[BattyKoda]

My DS has turned 4 this month. Does he have to start primary school this September, or could he start next September when he is 5?

I have applied, late, for 3 schools in a different county, we are moving there before September. They are popular schools and I've heard they are often over subscribed. So it's likely he won't get in and will be offered a place at another school which potentially will be miles away and not very good. If this happens could I wait until next year and apply again, or does he have to start this year?

children legally have to be in school (in England) from the term after they turn 5.

However, the situation is a bit more complicated than that, because on the whole, a child cannot be out of their yeargroup age-wise.

so, if you defer the entry, then you miss reception (and from the example given, your ds would have to be in school from the summer term 2011 anyway, thus in school this year)

it is unlikely that any school would hold a place open until summer term next year, and so you ds would have to go from sept this year to hold on to his place, iyswim?

Legally children should begin education the term after their fifth birthday (education not school)
Waiting a year for a place is unlikely to achieve anything in an over subscribed school.

mrz - we would be in the catchment area and applying on time next year so there would be more chance of him getting in IYSWIM

I don't know what we'll do if he ends up going to a school miles away. My mum will be collecting him and lives central to all 3 schools I've applied to

As mrz says, children have to be in education from the term after they are five. However, very few LEAs will support the decision for a child to be in a different year group from the one they should be in. You would be likely to need to show there is an exceptional reason for doing it, so when if you waited for a year he would have to join Year 1 rather than Reception and so the school would still be oversubscribed.

but you would be applying for a place in Yr1, which is likely to be already oversubscribed.

your ds is due to begin school in Sept 2010, in Receptionn. By summer term 2011, your ds must be in education of some sort.

by sept 2011, if you are applying for a school place, it is a yr1 application, and you are chancing whether the school will have space for him.

Sorry, blonde moment, I see what you mean!

Depends where you are - are you in England.

In Scotland (where we are) you start in the August following your 4th birthday, roughly. Up till the march of that year. With the option to defer (but not lose a year) up to Feb/March of the following year.

My dd1 and ds started Primary 1 at age 5y6m in Aug after they were 5. They started in P1 and have kept with that year (unlike in England where they would have had to go straight into y1 - our p2). Dd2 started school at 4y9m (Nov birthday) and she seemed SO YOUNG!

England.

There is also the chance that we won't get there in time for September (small chance). If this happens and we do get a place, can we hold onto it until the term after he is 5?

that depends entirely on the individual school, and their policy.

from schools I have talked to (and it is a lot - dd1 has SN, and we have spoken to many schools re: her education) I would say this is unlikely. schools have carefully planned integration, to ensure the class get to know each other well. but the only way to know for sure is to talk to the school involved.

What if he gets into a really rubbish one thats miles away

I'm actually looking at private, even though we can't afford it... £1500 a year, would be great if it stayed that price

So hard as he is already at a pre-school and has a place in reception for September and it is such a good school. Why is does every decision have to be racked with guilt when you have children?!

BattyKoda I do sympathise with the already being at a good school - DS currently in Year 1 at a lovely school and DD in mixed nursery/reception class. Don't get allocations until end of April for Reception but very unlikely she wouldn't get in (despite no sibling policy).

We are (hopefully) moving 160ish miles away by September. I have contacted a lot of schools to find out likelihood of places being available for her and DS and am going to visit lots next week. Trying to work out the logistics of it all and and the same time know that they are going to leave the lovely school . It does appear there should be some places available, but then will need to find a house etc. Is rather stressful.

£1500 first year per* term that should read!

NoahAndTheWhale - I didn't think to ring the schools, I;ve just applied for the three that will work best logistically. Is it worth speaking to them?

I have found it has helped to give me an idea which schools are going to be completely full and so really there is no point applying to. I think because I want to have both children in the same school I need to know which would have space for DS first - I may need to hope a bit in DD's case, although the schools generally have an idea of how many will apply, even before places are allocated.

I was thinking £1,500 per year sounded rather good

I've a feeling they will all be completely full but maybe the sensible thing to do.