Starting school for children born September to December

Part of: Summer born children and starting school later

Children born between 1 September and 31 December usually start school in September after their fourth birthday. But they can also: 

  • go to school part-time during the autumn term 
  • start school in January after their fifth birthday 

Start in September after fourth birthday  

Apply for a reception place in the normal way.

Go to school part-time or start school later 

The latest your child must start school full-time is the beginning of the spring term in January after their fifth birthday. 

To organise your child going to school part-time during the autumn term, or starting school in January after their fifth birthday: 

  1. Apply for a school place during the autumn when your child turns 4 – application deadline 15 January. 
  2. Accept a school place offered to you. 
  3. Speak to the school about your child attending their reception year part-time or starting later.  
  4. If you want your child to start later, the school will hold your place until January. 

Apply

Apply for a reception place.