Children in the UK are required, by law, to receive a full-time education.
This means staying in school, or being educated at home, until the last Friday in June in the school year they turn 16. If pupils miss out on school (or home-schooling), parents will be contacted by the school, or your local council's education welfare officer.
This can even lead to prosecution, though parents will normally get warnings and offers of help from the local council first. You can also be fined up to £2,500.
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As well as it being mandatory for kids to stay in education until a certain point, there is also a compulsory age they must start by. But while many people believe youngsters have to begin school at Reception age - they don't.
Most children start school full-time in the September after their fourth birthday, meaning they'll turn five during their first school year. For example, if your child’s fourth birthday falls between September 1, 2021 and August 31, 2022 they would likely start school this September.
But they don't legally have to. If you don't think your child is ready to start school at this age, they can start later, as long as they're in school by the September after their fifth birthday.
They can also start part-time, or join part-way through the school year. Government advice states if you want your child to start later, "you will still need to apply for a school place at the same time as everyone else". You can then request your child’s later start when you apply.
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