Compulsory school age
Last updated: 7 Jaunary 2010
A child becomes of compulsory school age when he or she reaches the age of five and must start school in the term following his or her fifth birthday (unless a child is educated otherwise). Compulsory school age ceases on the last Friday in June in the school year in which the child reaches the age of 16.
Parents of children of compulsory school age (5 to 16) are required to ensure that they receive a suitable education by regular attendance at school or otherwise. Failure to comply with this duty can lead to prosecution.
Schools are required to take attendance registers twice a day. Where a day pupil of compulsory school age is absent, schools have to indicate in their register whether the absence is authorised by the school or unauthorised. LAs are responsible in law for making sure that pupils attend school.
Compulsory school age is defined by Section 8 of the Education Act 1996, as amended by Section 52 of the Education Act 1997 and the Education (School Leaving Date) Order (Statutory Instrument 1997 No.1970).
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