The school year that a child attends depends on their age. By law, you must enrol your child at school by the term following their 5th birthday, unless you've chosen to home educate.
Nursery
Children can attend nursery from the September after their 3rd birthday.
Find out about applying for a nursery school place.
Reception (and infants)
Children attend reception from the September after their 4th birthday.
Find out about applying for a reception school place.
Junior
Children attend junior school from the September after their 7th birthday.
Find out about applying for a junior school place.
Secondary school
Children attend secondary school from the September after their 11th birthday.
Find out about applying for a secondary school place.
When your child can finish school
Children must go to school until the last day of the school year in which they turn 16. This is usually the end of year 11.