Starting Nursery and Starting School

Your child’s birth date determines when they start nursery and when they will start primary school.

The School Year begins on the 1st September and ends on 31st August.

The School Year is divided into 3 terms, starting with the Autumn Term (September-December). This is followed by the Spring Term (January-Easter) and the Summer Term (April-July).

Children start nursery at Maples in the Autumn Term that follows their 3rd birthday - once the previous intake of children transfers to the Reception Class of their new primary school.

Children transfer to primary school in the Autumn Term of the School Year in which they turn 5 and you must apply for a primary school place in the January before they start.

Children who turn 3 soon after the start of the Autumn Term will only be offered a place in the term after their third birthday if places are available. It is our experience that places at Maples and in the state sector in general are usually only offered for the school year before children transfer to Primary School.