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 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 |
| 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2023 | Starts in the 2027 to 2028 academic year - apply from November 2026 |
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.