Newcastle City Council

By law, your child must be in school from the start of term following their fifth birthday. You apply for a place in the autumn a year before your child is due to start. Children born between 1 September 2006 and 31 August 2007 may start school in September 2011.

Will my child attend full-time at school straight away?

In some schools children attend on a part-time basis for the first few weeks of the first term. You should check with individual schools about their arrangements.

In Newcastle we offer all children the opportunity of a whole year in reception regardless of their birthday. However, if you wish, it is possible to delay your child’s actual start date within the same academic year until they reach statutory school age. If your child does not turn five until later in the year and you are considering delaying their admission until this time, please consider the following:

• You still need to apply for a reception place by the deadline of 15 January 2011. After a place is offered you must inform the Head Teacher that you wish to defer entry to the school. Your child’s place at the school will be kept open for them to join at the later date. Your start date must be within the same school year.
• Your child will be placed in a class of children who have already had the opportunity to adapt to school life.
• You may not be able to keep your child in nursery after their fifth birthday. This could mean there is a period of time between their birthday and the start of the next term where your child is not attending any educational setting.
  

In exceptional cases, such as particular special needs where it would be beneficial to a child, it may be possible for them to continue in nursery provision or be placed in a year group other than their usual one. This must be supported by professional evidence and agreed by the school and local authority .

If you wish to discuss educating your child at home, please contact us.

Does every parent and carer who wants a reception place for their child have to apply?

Yes. All parents and carers need to make an application even if your child is in a nursery or you have an older child at the school.  Your child will not be considered for a school place unless you apply.
 
If you do not apply, we will offer a place at the nearest available school for which your child is eligible, after considering all applications. This could be some distance from your home.

What if my child has special educational needs?

The majority of children with special educational needs are able to have their needs met at any mainstream school.

If your child has a Statement of Special Educational Needs (SEN) naming a particular school, you do not need to apply for a place. In all other cases, including where your child has a statement of SEN that does not name a scool, an application form should be submitted by the closing date.

If you have any specific questions or concerns, please discuss these with the schools you are considering.

Next step

How do I apply?