Primary Education - Starting School in Cheshire

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Dear Parents and Carers

The law states that children must start their education at the beginning of the term after their 5th birthday. However, in Cheshire, children may start earlier than this.

Under the County Council's policy, any child reaching the age of five between 1 September and 31 August may be admitted to school on the first day of the autumn term in September. Admission can be deferred until January, if preferred, but applications for both intakes take place at the same time.  Examples of dates for starting school are available for clarification.

Child's Fifth Birthday

Examples

Compulsory School Age

Cheshire's Policy

1 Sept - 31 Dec

Born Sept 2004 - Dec 2004

Spring Term 2010

Autumn 2009

1 Jan - 31 Mar

Born Jan 2005 - Mar 2005

Summer Term 2010

Autumn 2009

1 Apr - 31 Aug

Born Apr 2005 - Aug 2005

Autumn Term 2010

Autumn 2009

Applications for Reception Class Places

In order to ensure that Cheshire County Council can contact you about the process for applying for a place in a Cheshire reception class, you can register your contact details and details about your child so that when your son or daughter is due to start school for the first time, we can send you an application form and information on the application process.

It is important to note that the application process begins the year before your child is due to start school and that applications for places in the reception class now have to be made through the local authority that maintains the school following changes in Government Legislation. Therefore, even if you are not resident in Cheshire, your application for a reception class place in a Cheshire school must be made on Cheshire's application form.

When the time comes to apply, you may prefer to apply online.  However, online applications, as with postal applications, can only be made between the key dates relevant to your child's age and when he or she is due to start school.

Application Form

Frequently asked questions

For further information, please email admissions@cheshire.gov.uk or telephone 0845 111 0304

 
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Disclaimer | Copyright | Legal | Access Guide | Last Edited: 07-Nov-2008