Early Entry to Primary School

Parents may make a request for early entry to school for a child whose fifth birthday falls after the appropriate latest date.
If you are considering this, the following questions may be helpful.

Is your child emotionally and socially mature enough to cope with full-time education? How will they cope with:

• separation from you
• making friends and working with other children in the class
• activities within the classroom and playground
• your child’s ability to cope in different situations
• conforming to a more formal classroom organisation

Is your child physically mature enough to cope with a full-time education? How will they cope with:

• concentration on tasks
• mastery of basic learning skills
• acceptance by other children in relation to the demands of both classroom and playground activities
• homework

Has your child developed sufficiently to cope with the learning programme in a school? How will they cope with:

• confidence and self-esteem
• enthusiasm for learning
• ability to realise their full potential

Have you considered the long-term implications for your child throughout their career?

• at the end of P1, when it may be felt that they are not ready to proceed to P2
• at the end of P7, when it may be felt that they are not ready to proceed to S1 in secondary school
• at the end of secondary education, when they will be too young to leave school along with their class and there may be difficulties with entrance to a desired form of higher education

How to apply for Early Entry

To make an application for early entry, contact Education and Social Care.

The Early Entry process

• You and your child will be interviewed by the Early Entry Assessment team. The purpose of the interview is to determine whether your child has the ability and aptitude for primary school.
• Your early learning and childcare provider will be asked to report on your child’s ability, aptitude and progress. An observation visit will also take place.

Based on the information and observations gathered a report will be provided to the Quality Improvement Officer. A decision will be sent to you by letter on how to proceed based on the decision made.