When can children start school?
By law, your child does not have to start school until the beginning of the term after their fifth birthday. In Richmond upon Thames, most children start part-time in a reception class about the age of 4 and a half. Dates for admission are listed below. In some schools, parents can delay taking a place until their child reaches compulsory school age, as long as the place is taken up within the school year. Parents will need to check with individual schools for further information. You must complete and return either your online or paper application by the closing date: Sunday 15 January 2012 for the school year 2012/2013. After then you will be late and you may limit your child’s chance of getting a place at your preferred school.
Primary schools in the borough
Primary schools in the borough consist of infant schools, junior schools and all-through primary schools that combine infant and junior age ranges. Some of these are church schools. Others are known as community schools and these are maintained by the local authority.
| Children born | Autumn term 2012 2011 Sep-Dec |
Spring term 2013 Jan-Mar |
Summer term 2013 Apr-Jul |
Autumn term 2013 Sep-Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Sept 2007 to 31 Dec 2007 | Reception (part-time) | Reception | Reception | Year 1 |
| 1 Jan 2008 to 31 Mar 2008 | Reception (part-time) | Reception (part-time) | Reception | Year 1 |
| 1 April 2008 to 31 Aug 2008 | Reception (part-time) Nursery (part-time) |
Reception (part-time) | Reception | Year 1 |
| 1 Sept 2008 to 31 Aug 2009 | Nursery education | Nursery education | Nursery education |
Nursery : All places in a local authority nursery school or classes are subject to availability.
Reception: This is a child’s first year at school, either full-time or part-time, as shown in the table.
Early starters
Some schools may admit children full-time earlier than shown – check with individual schools. Summer born children usually start reception class part-time in either the autumn or spring term. These children may start local authority nursery education from the age of 3, subject to the availability of places. Please look at the individual schools’ prospectuses or ask if you are unsure.