How do I go about getting my child into a local school and when do I have to do it?

All primary schools have nurseries attached. A child has to be a minimum of 3 years old to attend a nursery within a primary school and parents should apply directly to the school to register their child.

Statutory education starts when a child is 5 years old although a child can attend reception class while they are 4 years old as long as they reach the age of 5 within the same school year. For example, a child who has their 5th birthday in January 2008 could start reception class in September 2007 while they are 4 years old as this is within the same school year. The school year runs from September to August. Parents should apply directly to the school to register their child; parents should do this even if their child is already attending a nursery at the school of their choice.