I have heard that there have been changes to school admissions and that a child must now be offered a place from the age of four. Does a child have to be sent to school at this age?
From September 2011, the admission authorities for primary schools must offer a place to all children in the September following their fourth birthday. These arrangements do not apply to a child seeking a nursery place, even if the child attends a nursery on the same site as the school.
Although a child must be offered a place from the start of the school year, a parent can request that the start date for admission be deferred until later in the school year or until the child reaches compulsory school age (but not for a whole academic year). Where the child’s entry is deferred, the admissions authority must hold that child’s place. Parents can also request that their child attends part-time until the child reaches compulsory school age.
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