Starting school

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

If your child isn’t fully toilet trained or has accidents, don’t worry – just talk to their teacher about this and pack spare underwear in their school bag.

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.