Legal school age

[pidget]

I was reading that Jade goody was being questioned as to why her 4 yr old son was not in school every day, I thought that until a child was 5 they were not legally obliged to be in school. Am I wrong? Thanks in advance.

[annie0000]

I am sure that the law will be different in England, I am in Scotland, however, the same principal might apply. In Scotland, you don't have to register and send your child to school until they are 5. However, you may choose to register and send your child to school if they are 5 before 1 march after the school year starts in August. I know that the cut off dates in England are different (1 September?) However, I am guessing that if you have chosen to register your child for school, then you would be obliged to ensure that they are there every day unless you have made arrangements with the education authority, so perhaps it isn't that clear cut.

[daffy654]

It depends on where in the year your birthday falls. My son has a late August birthday so started school full time at just turned 4,some of his classmates have September birthdays and are almost a full year older than he is.

[johnny37]

I dont know what the rule is but if your child is lucky enough to have a place then you have an obligation to ensure that the child attends. As Daffy says, whatever the age, the child nornally start at the beginning of the September term.

I've seen similar threads about taking holiday in term time. Should never be allowed in my opinion.

[xanderma]

Not always September, johnny, it depends on how many intakes the school has, Ours has 3, Sept, Jan & April. The child starts at the beginning of the term in which he will turn 5, so will have very little time at school as a 4 year old. However, whatever the start date, legally the child can defer starting school until he is actually 5, but if he has started at 4, then the place has been accepted and he is expected to attend every day. Educational Welfare will flag up a concern if the child does not attend regularly, but I don't think they have much legel redress until after the child's birthday.

[lou 26]

It does depend on when their birthday falls as to when they start but in the UK you are not LEGALLY obliged to send them until theyre five if you dont want to.

[daffy654]

I was not aware that you weren't legally obliged to send your child to school until they are 5 years old in England. I have a daughter who also started school at age 4 as her birthday is in August too(she is much older than my son mentioned in my other post though). I would be interested if anyone could find me an official link to the relevant law.xx

[Humphrysness]

You can also get information from the below if it helps only know for England not sure for scotland but you may find the answer somewhere here....

http://www.home-education.org.uk/legal-csa.htm