The Legal Age Of A Child In Compulsory UK Education
WHAT IS THE LEGAL AGE OF A CHILD IN COMPULSORY UK EDUCATION?
The legal age of a child in compulsory UK education is from 5 years to 16 years of age.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR SCHOOL STARTING AGE AND COMPULSORY SCHOOL AGE
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR SCHOOL LEAVING AGE
DOES THE UK GOVERNMENT HAVE TO OFFER EVERY CHILD IN COMPULSORY UK EDUCATION A PLACE AT A STATE SCHOOL?
Yes. UK law says that all children aged between 5 years and 16 years are entitled to a place free of charge at a UK state school.
WHEN MUST A CHILD AGED 5 START SCHOOL?
A child aged 5 is required by law to start school at the start of the school term after their fifth birthday.
If a child turns 5 years between 1st April and 31st August they will start school in the autumn term.
If a child turns 5 between 1st September and 31st December they start school in the winter term.
If a child turns 5 years between 1st January and 31st March they will start school in the summer term.
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR SCHOOL DAYS, TERMS, HOLIDAYS AND INSET DAYS
WHAT DOES UK LAW SAY ABOUT YOUNG PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN 16 AND 18 YEARS OF AGE?
In 2013, the government passed a law which said that all individuals born after September 1997 aged between 16 and 18 years old must either be in:
- Full time education at a college.
- Attend training (apprenticeship or traineeship)
- Be self employed
- Part time education or training alongside being employed, self employed or volunteering 20 hours a week.
From September 2015, an individual is required to be in full time education, training or working until the age of 18 years.