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  • Breadcrumb

    1. Home
    2. Education
    3. Schools, learning and development
    4. Getting involved with schools and your child's education

    Deferral of pre-school or primary school places

    Parents or guardians of some children can now choose to defer school places by one year.

    Deferral for September 2024

    This means that children born between 1 April and 1 July  (including both dates), or any premature child who was born before 1 April but was due to be born on or after 1 April, are eligible to defer pre-school or primary school this year if they choose.

    If you wish to continue with your application for pre-school or primary school in September 2024, you do not have to do anything and your child’s application will continue as normal. It is anticipated that the majority of parents of eligible children will not choose deferral for their child.

    Parents or guardians will receive a letter providing detailed information about the options of deferral, its consequences and how to apply.

    Deferral of a pre-school place

    If you have made a pre-school application for your child this year, you will be contacted about deferral. If you do wish your child to defer pre-school you will be asked to complete a form to withdraw your child from the pre-school admissions process. Your child will not be offered a place for September 2024 as part of that process.

    Children deferring pre-school can reapply in January 2025 for a funded pre-school place in September 2025. Parents will receive a communication providing detailed information about the options of deferral, what this means and how to apply.

    Deferral of a primary school place

    If you wish your child to defer primary school, you will be asked to complete a form to withdraw your child from the primary school admissions process. Your child will not be offered a place for September 2024 as part of that process.

    These children will be able to apply for a funded pre-school place for September 2024, but there is no guarantee that they will receive one. 

    For further information on deferring a pre-school or primary school place, email SchoolStartingAge@education-ni.gov.uk. 

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    Getting involved with schools and your child's education

    • Becoming a school governor
    • Deferral of pre-school or primary school places
    • Educating your child at home
    • Helping young people when they get exam results
    • Parent-school relationships
    • Parental rights in education
    • Parents with disabilities and school
    • Work experience for your child

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