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Compulsory school age
Compulsory school age in Northern Ireland means that a child should attend school if they have reached the age of 4 years but not yet reached the age of 16 years, subject to when the child’s birthday falls within the school year.
- Where a child reaches the age of 4 years between 1 September of that year and 1 July of the following year, that child should begin compulsory education in September of the following year.
- Example: if a child’s 4th birthday is on 15 September 2006, they are 4 years of age between 1 September 2006 and 1 July 2007. This child would start compulsory education in September 2007.
- Where a child reaches the age of 4 years between 2 July of that year and 31 August of the same year, that child will not begin compulsory education until September of the following year.
- Example: if a child’s 4th birthday is on 5 July 2007, they are 4 years of age between 2 July 2007 and 31 August 2007. This child would start compulsory education in September 2008.
- Pupils who become 16 between 1 September and 1 July (inclusive) in the school year, can leave school on 30 June of that year. However, pupils who become 16 between 2 July and 31 August (inclusive) in any year, cannot leave school until 30 June of the following year.
The education orders which govern children’s attendance at school in Northern Ireland are:
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