Newcastle City Council - When should my child start school?

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Starting first or primary school.

You need to apply for a place in the autumn a year before the September when your child is due to start school.  By law, your child must be in school from the start of term following their fifth birthday.

Children born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008 may start school in September 2012.

What do I need to know?   

Will my child attend full-time at school straight away?

Does every parent and carer who wants a reception place for their child have to apply?

What if my child has special educational needs?

Will my child attend full-time at school straight away?

In some schools children attend on a part-time basis for the first few weeks of the first term. You should check with individual schools about their arrangements.

In Newcastle we offer all children the opportunity of a whole year in reception regardless of their birthday. However, it is possible to delay your child’s actual start date until they reach statutory school age.  This is called deferred entry.  If your child is not five until later in the year and you are considering delaying their admission until this time, please note the following:

• You still need to apply for a reception place by the deadline of 15 January 2012.
• After a place is offered you must inform the Headteacher that you wish to defer entry to the school. Your child’s place at the school will then be kept open for them to join at the later date. Your start date must be within the same school year.
• Your child will be placed in a class of children who have already had the opportunity to adapt to school life and make friends in their class.

• You may not be able to keep your child in a nursery. This could mean there is a period of time when your child is not attending any educational setting.

In exceptional cases it may be possible for a child to continue in nursery provision or remain in a childcare setting. However, they may be placed in a year group other than their usual one. This must be supported by professional evidence and agreed by the school and local authority.

If you wish to discuss educating your child at home, click here for further advice.

Does every parent and carer who wants a reception place for their child have to apply?

All parents and carers need to make an application even if you have an older child at the school or attending a school on a linked site.  Please note that attendance at a nursery class does not guarantee a place at that school.
 
If you do not apply, you will be offered a place at the nearest school with available places after all the on time applications have been allocated. This could be some distance from your home.

What if my child has special educational needs?

The majority of children with special educational needs are able to have their needs met at any mainstream school.

If your child has a Statement of Special Educational Needs (SEN) naming a particular school, you do not need to apply for a place.

If you have any specific concerns, please discuss these with the schools you are considering.

Next step: when do I decide which school to apply to?