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Statutory school age (SSA), which is also known legally as 'compulsory school age' can be defined as follows:
In England and Wales:
A child begins to be of compulsory school age on the start date of the term following their fifth birthday, or that day if their fifth birthday falls on the day term starts.
A child ceases to be of compulsory school age on the last Friday in June in the academic year in which they reach the age of 16 or if they reach 16 after the last Friday in June but before the start of the new school year.
(Section 8, Education Act 1996.)
The term "Compulsory School Age" is a little confusing. It does not actually mean that school is compulsory during the qualifying period. It does, however, mean that the parent or guardian of a child of "compulsory school age" has a duty to provide an education (subject to section 7 of the 1996 Education Act) during that period.
Primary
Primary
Therefore:
A child is of ʺcompulsory school ageʺ on the 1st January, 1st April or 1st September following their 5th birthday.
Children becoming 5 years old between 1st January and 31st March are of compulsory school age at the beginning of the term after 1st April.
Children becoming 5 years old between 1st April and 31st August are of compulsory school age from the beginning of the term after 1st September.
Children becoming 5 years old between 1st September and 31st December are of compulsory school age from the beginning of the term after 1st January
Because children in Reception will be a mix of SSA and non SSA throughout the year, school attendance is reported upon nationally for Y1-Y6 only (although there is a separate national average figures available for the attendance of 4yo children). For this reason when we report attendance to compare with national figures we generally exclude Reception, but when we are reporting within the Trust we may include Reception (although we generally don't).
Thanks to Edward Heneage for sharing a letter template that they send out at the beginning of each term to parents of pupils about to become of statutory school age. You can access this template below.
Becoming SSA parent letter.docxReport abuse