Compulsory School Age FAQ’s

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What is the compulsory school age? – Flexi-schooling – Funding and fees – School readiness and homeschooling – FAQ's

Children who turn 4 before 1st September (each year) will usually start reception at the beginning of the term in September. Summer born children can sometimes defer their school start to the following year intake, this should usually be organised with the local borough and agreed with your school of choice. In this instance children can stay with us in the forest until they are compulsory school aged (the term after their fifth birthday).

A child is of compulsory school age the term after their fifth birthday. For example, if they turn 5 in January, then they will be of compulsory school age from the summer term. 

Once your child is of compulsory school age, the law does state that a child should be in full time education. However, if you would like to keep your child in the forest, you will need to let your local council know that you plan to home educate your child. Legally, whilst home educating, children can still spend up to 18 hours per week in childcare. This means that your child can still attend the forest for 3 sessional days. If you need full days then please let us know and we may still be able to offer two full days. Please note, your child can attend as many days as you wish throughout the school holidays as this restriction only applies during term time. 

If your child turns 5 between 1st September & 31st December

If you would like to delay your school place for a year, you will need to apply to your chosen Primary school when your child is due to start reception. Once you have received a place at your chosen school, you can then request to defer for a term or for a year.

If you defer for a term, your child could join the reception class in your chosen school in January, or, if the school allow you to defer for the year, you will be able to follow the home education route. This may mean that you need to re-apply for a place at the school for the following year, so do please check with them. 

If your child turns 5 between 1st January & 31st March

If you would like to delay your school place for a year, you will need to apply to your chosen Primary school when your child is due to start reception. Once you have received a place at your chosen school, you can then request to defer for two terms or a year. 

If you defer for two terms, your child could join the reception class in your chosen school in April, or, if the school allow you to defer for the year, you will be able to follow the home education route. This may mean that you need to re-apply for a place at the school for the following year, so do please check with them. 

If your child turns 5 between 1st April & 31st August

If you would like to delay your school place for a year, you will need to apply to your chosen Primary school when your child is due to start reception. Once you have received a place at your chosen school, you can then request to defer for for the year.

If you defer for the year, your child could join your chosen school in September. As a summer born child, the school has to allow you the flexibility to defer for the year. Most schools will give you the option as to whether your child starts in reception or year 1 if you have deferred.

You can claim funding for the whole year and are not limited by the number of hours you can attend Little Forest Folk.

Families in some South West Boroughs are able to flexi-school. This is where a child splits their week between both the forest, and the school. You will usually need to apply to your chosen school directly, along with supporting documents. We are very happy to write a letter of support for you to accompany your application. 

Please note, this is usually only accepted up until a child is of compulsory school age, the school will then ask for your child to attend the full week at school.

You are able to claim 15/30 hours funding up until your child turns 5, which is legally a child’s compulsory school age. This means we cannot claim any funding for your child the term after they have turned 5. You can see our fees and funding page via the links below.

Once your child is of compulsory school age, the law does state that a child should be in full time education. However, if you would like to keep your child in the forest, you will need to let your local council know that you plan to home educate your child. Legally, whilst home educating, children can still spend up to 18 hours per week in childcare. This means that your child can still attend the forest for 3 sessional days per week. Please note, your child can attend as many days as you wish throughout the school holidays as this restriction only applies during term time. 

Fee breakdown

• Chiswick fees

• Fulham fees

• Morden fees

• Putney Heath fees

• Twickenham fees

• Wimbledon Village fees

• Wimbledon fees

Firstly, don’t feel pressured to do anything you don’t feel is right, you know your child best, you know what will make them happiest. Secondly, be brave to do what you believe is right for your child. Whether it’s formal schooling in a state or private school, staying at home with you or staying in the forest with us. Have the courage to stand up for what you believe is best for your child.

What is school readiness?

Often misunderstood and thought to concern the knowledge children have of phonics and literacy, the government’s own discussions around school readiness (there is no clear definition) is that from the age of 4;
“we would expect children to be ready to be separated from their parent or carer, to be able to demonstrate listening skills in being able to show interest and pay attention to a subject or stimulus. To have enough language to be able to express themselves if they need something and be able to communicate something about what makes them who they are, such as name, age and something about family or relevant factors in their life. To be able to interact with an adult and/or a peer. For example, during play to be able to take turns and take some responsibility for their actions. We think that children should be able to focus on, and show interest in, their work and the world around them. To make observations, notice things and ask questions. To be able to hold a book, understand some aspects of narrative and respond to some boundary setting.”

What do WE believe is school readiness?

We believe that a child who is independent, confident, resilient, curious, empathetic and self-motivated is a child who is ready for school and indeed for life.

Why do we believe it is advantageous for your child to remain in the forest as long as possible?

Well, partly because we know and love them, we can’t ignore that.
 
Because childhood is a gift, it’s fleeting and it’s precious, and we want children to enjoy every minute of it that they can. Because we believe we are in a unique position, with the traditional school ratio of 1 adult to 13 children and our forest ratio of 1 to 4 children, in addition to our advantage of having watched your child grow up and knowing them as we do, to help your child develop further. We want to assist your children to develop to their maximum potential and believe we are uniquely positioned to be able to do this. Because if children spend time in an environment where they have freedom, time and space, we can encourage their imagination and creativity to develop them into incredible children who are creators, not consumers and therefore the most likely children to succeed in today’s society.
 
Because if we give children another year of mixed age learning, where there are no such things as ‘age appropriate’ activities, then we have another year with no ceiling on their learning potential.

Does my child legally have to attend school for reception?

No, your child doesn’t have to be formally educated until the term after their fifth birthday. Even then you have the right to ‘home school’ if you believe it would be a better environment for your child.

What are the rules for home learning?

If you decide to home school your child once they turn compulsory school aged (the term after their fifth birthday), they can still spend up to 18 hours per week in the forest with us. More information around home schooling and who you need to inform can be found on your local borough’s website.