When your child starts school

Most children start school full-time in the September after their fourth birthday.

This means your child will usually start school in September 2024 if they were born between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2020.

Apply for a reception class place

If you want your child to start later

If you don't think your child is ready to start school at the usual time, they can start later - as long as they're in full-time education by the time they reach compulsory school age.

They can start:

• Part-time
• Part-way through the year
• In the next school year, in the September after they turn 5

You will need to:

• Apply for a reception class place at the same time as everyone else, and
• Talk to the school about arranging for your child to start later or part-time

If your child starts school in the September after they turn 5

If your child starts school in the September after they turn 5, they will go into year 1. If you want your child to start in reception instead, you will need to request that they are admitted outside of their normal age group.

Contact us using our general enquiry form and tell us:

• Your child's name
• Your child's date of birth
• Which schools you have chosen as your preferred schools
• Why you want your child to be admitted outside of their normal age group 

Compulsory school age

Children must start full-time education from the school term after their fifth birthday - either by attending school or through home education.

For example, if your child turns five on 31 March, they must start full-time education at the beginning of the summer term (the next term that year).

Children must stay in full-time education until they reach school leaving age.

Getting your child ready to start school

Starting school is a big milestone for you and your child. Making sure your child is ready to start school will help make this step as easy as possible.

Your child will have a school readiness health check when they are three-and-a-half.

We provide advice to help you get your child ready for starting school. You can also find information to help you prepare for starting school on Just One Norfolk.

Transfer to junior or secondary school

Children are due to transfer to junior school when they are in their last year (year 2) at infant school.

Children are due to transfer to secondary school when they are in their last year (year 6) at junior or primary school.