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Compulsory School Age

When is it compulsory for a child to start school?

When a child reaches the age of four 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 2012, they are 4 years of age between 1 September 2012 and 1 July 2013. This child would start compulsory education in September 2013.

Where a child reaches the age of four 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 2012, they are 4 years of age between 2 July 2012 and 31 August 2012. This child would start compulsory education in September 2013

Pupils who are 16 between 1 September and 1 July (inclusive) in the school year, can leave school on 30 June of that year.

Pupils who become 16 between 2 July and 31 August (inclusive) in any year, cannot leave school until 30 June of the following year.

Pupils may continue education for a further two years, after they become 16, although this is not compulsory (Education Reform (NI) Order 1989 Article 156 and Department Circular 1990/27 PDF 19 KB refers).

The education orders which govern children’s attendance at school in Northern Ireland are: