Your child must start full-time education once they reach compulsory school age. This is on 31 December, 31 March or 31 August following their fifth birthday – whichever comes first. If your child’s fifth birthday is on one of those dates then they reach compulsory school age on that date.
For example, if your child reaches compulsory school age on 31 March, they must start full-time education at the beginning of the next term (summer term that year).
Children must stay in full-time education until they reach school leaving age.
Applying for your child’s place at school
- Cheshire East – apply for a primary or secondary school place
- St Helens – apply for a primary or secondary school place
- Wirral – apply for a primary or secondary school place
- Knowsley – apply for a primary or secondary school place
When to apply
Applications open on different days in each local council area. Find out from your local council when applications open for primary or secondary schools.
When you’ll find out
Councils will send offers of school places for:
- primary schools on 16 April
- secondary schools on 1 March
If either date falls on a weekend or a bank holiday, offers are sent the next working day.
Free school meals
Check if your child can get free school meals in England and find out how to apply.
Supporting your child to start school
Starting school can be both an exciting and nerve-wracking time for you and your child. Your little one is about to take a big step and start a new chapter of their life. Here are some tips to help make this transition go as smoothly as possible:
- Talk about their school – as soon as your child’s place is confirmed start talking about their new school: name of the school, location, the daily routine, teachers and anything else you know about the school. These conversations can be very exciting for you both.
- Get familiar with the school run – the summer holidays is the ideal time to practice the school run. Get them excited about their new adventure.
- Tidying up – encourage your little one to get involved in tidying up activities.
- School uniform – trying on their uniform is a great opportunity for your little one to practise fastening and unfastening zips, buttons and Velcro. If your child is taking a packed lunch to school let them choose their own lunch box.
- Language development – enjoy lots of reading time with your little one
- Writing their own name – get lots of practice in before school starts.
- Self care:
- Wiping their nose
- Telling the teacher if they are not feeling well
- Toilet training
- Before starting school ensure that your child knows how to:
- wipe themselves properly and pull up their pants
- flush the toilet
- wash their hands thoroughly
Toilet Training – School Readiness
If your child is not toilet trained by the time they start school, you can access the following support and recommendations from the leading children’s continence charity ERIC.
If after accessing these links and following the recommendations your child is still having toileting issues, please contact your 0-19/25 service.
- Knowsley – 0151 514 2666
- St Helens – 01744 411277
- Wirral – 0151 514 0129
- Cheshire East – 0300 123 4058
School readiness checklists
Watch our School Readiness video for more tips
Support for your child in school
When your child starts school, he or she will receive support from their School Nurse.
Our service supports children and young people aged 5 – 19 in primary and secondary schools and home educated children, as well as their families and carers. Support is also provided to schools and alternative education providers – every school has a named school nurse.
You can read more about our School Nursing Service in Cheshire East, St Helens, Knowsley and Wirral.
