Starting school
Children in Scotland must start primary school in the August term after their fifth birthday.
However, education authorities can make arrangements for children to start in the August when they are four, if they will turn five by the end of February. This generally means that children start school when they are aged between four-and-a-half and five-and-a-half.
If you would like your child to start school earlier or later than the education authority would expect them to start, you should discuss this with your education authority as early as possible.
When to enrol your child
Education authorities usually need you to enrol your child for primary school several months before school starts.
Information about procedures for enrolling children at their local school and how to submit a placing request for another school is usually made widely available in nursery and primary schools, community centres, libraries and in local newspapers.
You’ll need to know what your education authority expects you to do.
Read more
The child’s experience of primary school is a leaflet offering insight into a child’s feelings when starting school for the first time.
