Delaying when your child starts primary school
School starting age
Children born between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2023 can start Reception class in September 2027.
Legally, children must start full-time education from the beginning of the school term after their fifth birthday.
Deferring a place
If your child is offered a primary school place to start in September, you might want to defer it until later in the same school year. You can defer your place and we will hold it for your child.
Your child could also go to school part-time until they reach compulsory school age. You need to speak to the headteacher of the school to talk about the support available to help your child take part fully in school life.
If you would like to arrange for your child to have a deferred admission or part-time placement, you need to speak to the headteacher of the school.
Delayed entry for summer-born children
If your child was born between 1 April and 31 August (is a summer-born child), you can apply to delay their start to primary school by a year. Read the guide below for more information.
Deferral within the Reception year
Once a reception offer has been made, parents have a right to delay their child’s start date within the reception year for the normal year of entry.
Where Lewisham has offered a child a place at a school:
a. the child is entitled to a full-time place in the September following their fourth birthday;
b. parents may defer the date their child is admitted to the school until later in the same school year, but not beyond the point at which the child reaches compulsory school age and not beyond the beginning of the final term of the school year for which the place was offered; and
c. where parents wish, children may attend part-time until they reach compulsory school age.
Deferring admission
Parents who wish to defer their child's admission must notify the school and the Council's Admissions Team in writing as soon as possible after accepting the offer of a school place.
A deferred place will be held for the child and a further application is not required.
Part-time attendance
Parents who wish their child to attend part-time before reaching compulsory school age should discuss the proposed attendance arrangements directly with the school. Schools will work with parents to agree appropriate attendance arrangements until the child reaches compulsory school age.
Important note
Deferral under this section relates only to admission within the child's normal year of entry. Parents who wish their child to be educated outside their normal age group, including parents of summer-born children seeking admission to Reception in the September following their fifth birthday.