School admission of children outside their chronological age group
It is usual practice for children to be educated in school year groups as determined by their date of birth. However, there is no statutory barrier to children being admitted outside their normal age group.
Parents/carers do not have the right to insist that their child is admitted to a particular age group but may make a request for this to happen.
School admission authorities are required to provide for the admission of all children in the September following their 4th birthday, but children do not reach compulsory school age until on or after their 5th birthday. For children who are under compulsory school age, once a school place has been accepted, parents may, if they wish, agree with the school a pattern of part-time attendance or a deferred start until later in that school year (but not later than the beginning of the summer term). These arrangements should be discussed with the school.
Department for Education guidance states: 'The government would agree that, in general, children should be educated in their normal age group, with the curriculum differentiated as appropriate and that they should only be educated out of their normal age group in very limited circumstances.'
Before submitting a request
Before submitting a request for your child to be admitted to a particular age group, please read the Guidance on the admission of children outside their chronological age group (PDF) [232KB](opens new window).
How to request admission outside of your child's chronological year group
If you want to request that your child is admitted outside their chronological year group, please follow the steps below.
- Make sure you have read and understood all of the information within the published guidelines.
- Complete the parental request form for a child to be educated out of cohort.