Starting school

Find out what age your child can start school and delaying entry to school

Children reach the compulsory school age the September after they turn 5.

You have the right to send your child to school on a full-time basis from the September after they turn 4, providing they have been allocated a school place.

See when your child can start school.

Your child’s birthday When they can start school
1 September 2019 to 31 August 2020 Starts in the 2024 to 2025 academic year - apply from November 2023
1 September 2020 to 31 August 2021 Starts in the 2025 to 2026 academic year - apply from November 2024
1 September 2021 to 31 August 2022 Starts in the 2026 to 2027 academic year - apply from November 2025

Delaying your child’s entry to school

If your child is still 4, you can delay your child’s admission to school until later in the school year.

If you are planning to delay your child’s start date until later in the school year, you must still apply for a place in the relevant admission round.

You can find more information in the primary education in Essex booklet.

You should speak to schools to discuss how you would like your child to be admitted.

A child reaches compulsory school age at the beginning of the school term after they turn 5.