Parenting Forums

Posted: 01 February 2006 at 10:30am | IP Logged

I know lilp already had a thread on this but was looking for a bit more information. Really hoping someone can help.

You may be aware that I am moving to merseyside/lancashire so was hoping that some mm know what age kids start school in that area. Excuse my geography but we are hoping to be living within a 20 mile radius of Liverpool.

If I had stayed in Scotland my daughter would have started school in August 2007 and will turn 5 in June 2007.

In Scotland (well Strathclyde area anyhow) children who are 4 before 28th February start school in the August and children who are 4 after Feb start school the following August. Hope this makes sense.

Also in Scotland our lo's start state nursery at the age of 3 and then once they are 5 (some 4) they start school going into full time school after September.

Beks will be 4 this June and going by some replies to the other thread some lo's seem to be starting school not long after they turn 4?Also going by the other thread some lo's go to pre school and different names for school/nursery which I don't understand.

I am also panicking a bit as here the kids starting school in August have already registered for school. Obviously I don't know yet where I will be in August and am now worried I won't be able to get her into school when she is due to start as I will be too late to register her .

Thanking presumptiously for replying!!

Posted: 01 February 2006 at 12:46pm | IP Logged

Im so confuzzed about the school situation too... taylor is now 4, so i thought he might be able to go in the january intake, but he has to wait till september..  My friends little one is 3 and she will be starting the same time as taylor does.. not getting this at all!!

Posted: 01 February 2006 at 12:47pm | IP Logged

Hi, I hope I can help a little bit. As you know I moved up from Hampshire so my 2 older kids started school down in England.

The school year in England for each class year runs from 1st Sept until 31st Aug while in Scotland it is from March 1st to Feb 28th, so your daughter as she was born in June and is 4 this year she will start school in England in what is called Year R (reception).and will be one of the youngest in the class. If you stayed up here she wouldn't start school until she was 5 and a bit, so in England they all turn 5 during their first school year. They usually start them gradually. The older ones going full time and the younger ones part time

They can go to playgroup from the age of 2 and 3/4 , where I use to live.

It gets really confusing. My daughter was born in Oct and is now in a school year up here with children who would have been in the school year above her in England and will take her standard grades a year earlier than she would have been doing her GCSEs. My son is a Dec birthday and was one of the oldest in his class in England now in Scotland he is one of the youngest.

As far as registering we never had a set week when we had to register like they do up here. We could put their name down at anytime . I think there was a date that had to be done by but I think it is easy enough to register at anytime unless the school is very popular and all the places are full.

I hope this all makes sense. Remember I was in Hampshire but I had a friend whose grandchildren moved to Southport and I think it was a similar setup.

As Rhona suggests it might be worth finding the local authority website. You should also be able to find out about schools there as well

sorry this is so long. I know how hard it is getting use to a new system. Best of luck  Nicky

Posted: 01 February 2006 at 1:18pm | IP Logged

Awww thanks Harrysmum. You are right about it being confusing. . Doesn't take alot to confuse me though, just give me a map!!

Reception confused me but it is a bit clearer now.

Rhona- I posted a thread a week or so ago about my impending flit.  I was a bit upset, down about it (I am putting that all very mildly) but I have to face facts and get on with it now. I am trying (so most people tell me ), no I am trying to be positive. Hey, I might have picked up the scouse accent in time for the night out. Probably moving some time in the summer.

You are right I will need to speak to the council of whatever area I am in. Just being lazy by posting here first.

Posted: 01 February 2006 at 2:00pm | IP Logged

Right just spoke to Liverpool council and she should start in September BUT children starting school this year should have been registered by last November so not sure now if she would get in anywhere. I can't register her until I have an address in that area.

nick.smee - I am not sure whereabouts you are but the local authority gave me the impression there is only one intake a year and it is in September.  So as long as you lo is 4 before September then they will start school in September. Does that make sense . Probably not!!

Posted: 01 February 2006 at 4:35pm | IP Logged

The final date for here was the 9th Jan.. so i have missed it!!!!! Does that mean he wont start till next year then??

Posted: 01 February 2006 at 4:57pm | IP Logged

Oh sorry nicki - I did not mean to panick you. I don't know what the procedure is in your area. All I can suggest you do is talk to your local authority.

I just know the lady I spoke to for Liverpool's education dept said to me that the kids who are due to start school this September were enrolled for school last November. As Harrysmum said maybe it is just a case that popular schools may no longer have spaces available now for September. Also lady at the council said I should speak to the school I want her to go to!! (can't do that as I don't know what school she will be going to).  I also thought Oh No I am too late now to get her into school for September but surely schools must accept pupils who move all the time? 

I think you should speak to the education board of your local authority.

Posted: 01 February 2006 at 5:17pm | IP Logged

The area of Wales that i live in is only about 45min away from Liverpool and my little girl started school last September at the age of 3 years 8 months.

Trudi. xx