Reception admissions
Compulsory school age and deferred/delayed entry
Children reach compulsory school age at the beginning of the term following their fifth birthday.
| Child's fifth birthday | Compulsory school age |
|---|---|
| 1 September - 31 December | Spring term |
| 1 January - 31 March | Summer term |
| 1 April - 31 August | Autumn term |
Under the Council’s policy, children may start school the September following their fourth birthday. Therefore, children born between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2023 are normally admitted to school in September 2027.
Applications for admission to Cheshire West and Chester schools, and any appeals, are considered in relation to the availability of places in the child’s chronological age group.
As Cheshire West and Chester Council accepts children the September after their fourth birthday, it is not permitted for children to start school any earlier than this.
Therefore, if your child’s fourth birthday is after the 1 September 2027 they cannot start school until September 2028.
Delayed entry for summer born children
There are two options if you wish to delay your child’s school entry until the following year, for children born between 1 April and 31 August only:
- delayed entry option one – a written notification must be submitted to us advising that you wish to delay your child’s entry until the following September and join the normal age group in year one. You will need to make an in year application to the school at the beginning of June prior to the September start
- delayed entry option two – you must apply within the timescale for the normal admissions round submitting a written request together with the application advising that you wish to delay your child’s entry until the following September and start in reception, a year below their normal age group. Approval from the admission authority is required for this option
The vast majority of children in the borough are taught in their chronological year group.
Deferred entry
If your child is due to start school during the next academic year, you must apply for a place for September.
If your child’s fifth birthday is between the months of September and December, then, if you wish it, admission may be deferred until January. If it is between January and March, then admission may be deferred until the start of the summer term, though it is likely to be in your child’s interest to start no later than January. If it is between April and August, your child is considered a summer born child, and the options above apply.
Applications for deferred admissions must, nevertheless, be made by the published closing date.
Applications for deferred admissions must be made by the published closing date.
