🏫 What Age Do Children Start and Finish School?
📅 Starting School:
Most children in England start school in September after they turn 4 years old. Some children can wait and start in September after their 5th birthday. This is for younger children (born between 1 April and 31 August) or if parents think they are not ready.
✅ All children must be in school by September after they turn 5.
🎓 Free School for Children Aged 5 to 16
In England, children aged 5 to 16 can go to free state schools. These schools are paid for by the local council or the government. Here are the main types of schools:
🏫 Community Schools
- Run by the local council
- Follow the national curriculum
- Not linked to any business or religion
⛪ Foundation & Voluntary Schools
- Get money from the local council
- Have more control over how they run
- Sometimes linked to religious groups
🏢 Academies & Free Schools
- Run by a group called an academy trust
- Not run by the local council
- Can teach a different curriculum
🧠 Grammar Schools
- Choose students based on a test
- Run by councils, academy trusts, or other groups
🏫 Changing to Secondary School
Children move to secondary school in September after they turn 11. They must stay in school until they turn 16. After 16, they must keep learning or training until they are 18. This can be in school or at a college.
🔗 See study and training options for over-16s in Leeds
📅 School Year in England
The school year:
- Starts in September
- Ends in July
- Has 3 terms
Many schools follow the Leeds City Council calendar. Some schools choose their own dates.
📌 To check the term dates: Leeds City Council Schools Term Dates
🔍 Find and Compare Schools Near You
🎒 Search for a school near your home: Search for a School in Your Area
📊 Compare local schools using scores and inspection reports from Ofsted (the government’s education watchdog):
🔗 Compare Local Schools
🔗 Ofsted Reports for Individual Schools
