In Scotland, children typically begin primary school in the calendar year in which they turn five. As a result, pupils entering Primary 1 are generally between 4½ and 5½ years old. When a child does not start school at the expected August entry point for their age group, this is referred to as deferred entry to primary school.
- Can children defer entry to Primary One?
In Scotland, children who turn 5 on or before the school start date in August are expected to begin Primary 1 at that time. However, parents retain the right to make alternative arrangements for their child’s education, such as choosing to home educate. For children who are still 4 on the school start date—those born after the beginning of the school session in August and up to the end of February—parents may defer their child’s entry to school for a year and automatically access an additional year of funded early learning and childcare.
- What should parents do if their child attends a Dundee City Council nursery or a Funded Provider but does not live within the Dundee City Council area, and they are considering deferring their child’s entry to school?
You should discuss your thoughts with staff in your child's nursery at the earliest opportunity and refer to your resident authority's deferred entry policy.