FOUR EDUCATION SYSTEMS
School starting age
United Kingdom
Choose where your child will attend school. The birthday cutoff, first year’s name and later school stages differ across the four nations.
Blog & guides →Find your child’s starting year and follow the school years ahead.
Choose your nation
September · Reception
🏴England
Fourth birthday by 31 August.
Open calculator and local guidance →September · Reception
🏴Wales
Fourth birthday by 31 August; confirm local arrangements.
Open calculator and local guidance →August · P1
🏴Scotland
Birthdays grouped from March to the following February.
Open calculator and local guidance →September · P1 / Year 1
🇬🇧Northern Ireland
Fourth birthday by 1 July.
Open calculator and local guidance →UK entry rules compared
| Nation | First primary year | Usual intake | Birthday cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | Reception | September | Fourth birthday by 31 August |
| Wales | Reception | September | Fourth birthday by 31 August; confirm local arrangements |
| Scotland | P1 | August | Birthdays grouped from March to the following February |
| Northern Ireland | P1 / Year 1 | September | Fourth birthday by 1 July |
Reception, P1 and Year 1 are not interchangeable
England and Wales begin this timeline with Reception before Year 1. Scotland uses P1–P7 before secondary S1–S6. Northern Ireland calls its first primary stage P1 or Year 1 and starts post-primary at Year 8. Choose the destination system when planning a move.
Starting school is different from leaving school
These planners show normal entry and an assumed year-by-year pathway. Later sixth-form years or S6 are possible continuations, not a universal graduation age. College, apprenticeships, deferred entry and individual progression can change the result.
Each calculator uses the usual starting-age group. A row labelled 2026–27 spans those two calendar years. An agreed deferred start or out-of-age-group placement can shift the timeline and needs confirmation with the school.
Official guidance for each nation
- England — GOV.UK
- Wales — Welsh Government
- Scotland — Scottish Government
- Northern Ireland — Department of Education
Reviewed 21 October 2026. Confirm individual placements and the current application timetable with the relevant school or admission authority.