1. Starting School
Children usually start Reception in the school year after their 4th birthday. Parents and carers can prepare by:
- Visiting schools and reading Ofsted reports
- Asking about settling-in arrangements
- Sharing medical, allergy, SEND or safeguarding information
- Helping children practise routines such as dressing, eating, toileting and asking for help
- Reading stories about starting school
- Talking positively but honestly about change
Useful links:
- Apply for a primary school place: https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-primary-school-place
- Find schools and performance information: https://www.gov.uk/school-performance-tables
- Ofsted reports: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/
2. Choosing a School
When choosing a school, consider:
- Distance and transport
- Admissions criteria
- Safeguarding and pastoral support
- SEND support
- Behaviour approach
- Attendance support
- Communication with parents
- Breakfast clubs and after-school clubs
- Uniform cost
- Accessibility for disabled children and parents
- School culture and inclusion
You can ask the school for its policies on admissions, SEND, behaviour, bullying, attendance, complaints and uniform.
3. School Admissions
If a child is refused a school place, parents and carers can usually appeal. GOV.UK says the decision letter should explain how to appeal, and each rejection must be appealed separately.
Useful links:
- School admissions: https://www.gov.uk/schools-admissions
- Appeal a school decision: https://www.gov.uk/schools-admissions/appealing-a-schools-decision
- Find your local council: https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council
For Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, infant class size rules usually limit classes to 30 pupils, so appeals can be harder unless there has been a mistake or unreasonable decision.
4. School Uniform Support
Schools in England must follow statutory guidance on uniform cost. GOV.UK says uniform cost should not be a barrier to applying for or attending a school, and schools should limit branded items.
Parents can ask about:
- Second-hand uniform schemes
- Local council grants
- Hardship support
- PTA or community support
- Flexibility for disability, sensory needs, faith, weather or cost
- Reasonable adjustments
Useful links:
- School uniform guidance: https://www.gov.uk/school-uniform
- Cost of school uniforms: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cost-of-school-uniforms/cost-of-school-uniforms
- Find your local council: https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council
5. School Attendance
Parents are responsible for ensuring children receive suitable education. GOV.UK states children can usually miss school only if they are too ill to attend or have advance permission from the school.
If attendance is affected by anxiety, bullying, illness, SEND, disability, transport, poverty, family crisis or unmet support needs, parents should ask the school and local authority for help early.
Useful links:
- School attendance and absence: https://www.gov.uk/school-attendance-absence
- Education for children with health needs who cannot attend school: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/education-for-children-with-health-needs-who-cannot-attend-school
- Mental health support in schools: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/promoting-and-supporting-mental-health-and-wellbeing-in-schools-and-colleges
6. Homework Support
Homework should support learning, not create distress or family conflict. Parents can ask the school:
- How much homework is expected
- What to do if the child does not understand it
- Whether adjustments can be made for SEND, disability or health needs
- Whether reading, spelling or maths support is available
- Whether homework clubs are offered
Helpful support:
- BBC Bitesize: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/primary
- National Numeracy: https://www.nationalnumeracy.org.uk/
- Libraries: https://www.gov.uk/local-library-services
7. Reading & Learning Support
Children learn at different speeds. Concerns should be raised early, especially where a child is struggling with reading, writing, speech, attention, memory, confidence or emotional regulation.
Parents can ask for:
- A meeting with the teacher
- Reading assessment
- Phonics support
- SENCO involvement
- Speech and language advice
- Dyslexia screening or support where appropriate
- A written support plan
- Reasonable adjustments
Useful links:
- SEND guide for parents and carers: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-guide-for-parents-and-carers
- Speech and Language UK: https://speechandlanguage.org.uk/
- British Dyslexia Association: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/
- BookTrust: https://www.booktrust.org.uk/
8. Parent & School Communication
Good communication should be respectful, timely and child-focused.
Parents can:
- Keep emails factual and dated
- Ask for meetings when concerns continue
- Request written summaries of actions agreed
- Ask who is responsible for each action
- Ask for review dates
- Keep copies of letters, reports and school responses
If communication breaks down, use the school complaints policy. GOV.UK provides a route for complaints about state schools, private schools, SEND and disability discrimination.
Useful link:
- Complain about a school: https://www.gov.uk/complain-about-school
9. School Transitions
Transitions include starting Reception, moving year group, changing school, moving from infant to junior school, or preparing for secondary school.
Children may need extra support if they have:
- SEND
- Disability
- Anxiety
- Trauma or bereavement
- Medical needs
- Communication needs
- Bullying concerns
- Attendance difficulties
Parents can ask for:
- Transition meetings
- Extra visits
- Visual timetables
- Social stories
- A named trusted adult
- SEND transition plan
- Information sharing between schools
- Reasonable adjustments
10. School Behaviour Policies
Schools should have a behaviour policy explaining rules, rewards, sanctions, exclusions, bullying responses and support. Behaviour should be managed fairly and consistently, but schools should also consider unmet needs, SEND, disability, trauma, communication needs and safeguarding concerns.
Parents can ask:
- What behaviour policy applies?
- What evidence was recorded?
- Was the child able to explain what happened?
- Were SEND or disability needs considered?
- What support will prevent repeat incidents?
- Was the sanction proportionate?
- Is there a written behaviour or pastoral plan?
Useful links:
- School discipline and exclusions: https://www.gov.uk/school-discipline-exclusions
- Behaviour in schools guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/behaviour-in-schools--2
- Anti-Bullying Alliance: https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/
11. Legal Rights
Children and parents may have rights relating to:
- Suitable education
- Fair admissions and appeals
- Attendance support
- SEND support
- Reasonable adjustments for disability
- Protection from discrimination
- Safeguarding
- Fair behaviour and exclusion processes
- Access to school complaints procedures
- Data protection and access to records
Useful links:
- Equality Act advice for schools: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equality-act-2010-advice-for-schools
- Disability discrimination complaints: https://www.gov.uk/complain-about-school/disability-discrimination
- SEND guide: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-guide-for-parents-and-carers
- ICO data rights: https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/
- Child Law Advice: https://childlawadvice.org.uk/
- IPSEA SEND legal advice: https://www.ipsea.org.uk/
12. Evidence Standards
When raising concerns, keep evidence clear and organised.
Useful evidence includes:
- Emails and letters
- Attendance records
- Behaviour logs
- Homework concerns
- Reading records
- Medical letters
- SEND plans
- Meeting notes
- Incident reports
- Exclusion or suspension letters
- Photos of relevant documents
- A dated timeline
- Notes of what support was requested and what response was given
A good evidence note should include:
- Date
- What happened
- Who was involved
- Impact on the child
- What action was requested
- What response was given
- What outcome is needed
13. Accountability & Complaints
Suggested route:
- Speak to the class teacher.
- Contact the year lead, SENCO or pastoral lead if needed.
- Ask for a written action plan.
- Use the school complaints policy.
- Escalate to governors or academy trust.
- Contact the local authority where relevant.
- Use a specialist route for admissions, exclusions, SEND or disability discrimination.
- Contact Ofsted only where the concern relates to wider school standards or safeguarding.
Useful links:
- Complain about a school: https://www.gov.uk/complain-about-school
- Ofsted Parent View: https://parentview.ofsted.gov.uk/
- Ofsted complaints: https://complain.ofsted.gov.uk/
- Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman: https://www.lgo.org.uk/
- Contact the Department for Education: https://form.education.gov.uk/service/Contact_the_Department_for_Education
14. Quick Help Directory
Apply for primary school
https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-primary-school-place
Admissions appeal
https://www.gov.uk/schools-admissions/appealing-a-schools-decision
Attendance
https://www.gov.uk/school-attendance-absence
Uniform support
https://www.gov.uk/school-uniform https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council
SEND support
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-guide-for-parents-and-carers https://www.ipsea.org.uk/ https://contact.org.uk/
Bullying
https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/ https://www.childline.org.uk/
Complaints
https://www.gov.uk/complain-about-school https://complain.ofsted.gov.uk/
Safeguarding
Emergency: 999 Report child abuse to local council: https://www.gov.uk/report-child-abuse-to-local-council NSPCC: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/
Key Message
Primary education works best when children, parents, carers and schools communicate early, keep clear records and focus on safe, fair and practical support. Concerns should be handled calmly, evidence should be recorded, and children should be supported according to their needs, rights and best interests.
Important Primary School Changes & Help in 2026
Safeguarding – 1 September 2026
Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026 comes into force on 1 September 2026. Until 31 August 2026, schools must continue using the 2025 version.
Current Safeguarding GuidanceSchool Uniform – New Branded Item Limit
From 1 September 2026, primary schools in England must limit compulsory branded uniform and PE-kit items to 3 or fewer. Schools must also keep uniform affordable and make second-hand uniform available.
2026 Uniform Cost GuidanceAttendance – July 2026
The statutory attendance guidance was updated on 9 July 2026. Schools, trusts and local authorities should work with families to understand barriers and put support in place before or alongside formal intervention.
Attendance GuidanceSuspensions & Permanent Exclusions
Updated statutory guidance on suspension and permanent exclusion in England took effect on 26 July 2026.
Current Exclusion GuidanceFree School Meals – 2026/27
Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 pupils in state-funded schools continue to receive universal infant free school meals. From the start of the 2026/27 academic year, children in households receiving Universal Credit qualify for benefits-based free school meals regardless of household earnings.
Check Free School MealsReception Transition – New 2026 Guidance
DfE published new guidance in April 2026 on helping children move into Reception, focusing on strong family relationships, joined-up work between early years settings and schools, and early identification of needs.
Reception Transition GuidancePrimary Curriculum & National Assessments – England
The national curriculum for Key Stages 1 and 2 includes English, maths, science, computing, PE, history, geography, art and design, music and design and technology, with languages required at Key Stage 2. Schools also provide relationships and health education and religious education.
Year 1 – Phonics
The phonics screening check normally takes place in June. It helps schools identify children who may need additional reading support.
Year 4 – Times Tables
Children take the multiplication tables check covering multiplication facts up to 12 × 12. There is no national pass mark.
Year 6 – National Tests
National tests cover English reading, grammar/punctuation/spelling and maths. Teacher assessment is also used, including writing and science.
Different Assessment Arrangements
Children working below the relevant curriculum standards may be assessed differently, including through pre-key-stage standards or the engagement model.
Admissions & Appeals – Important Details
In England, maintained schools, academies and free schools are governed by the School Admissions Code. Admission appeal panels must follow the separate School Admission Appeals Code.
Primary School SEND Support – England
A child does not need an EHCP before a primary school can provide SEND support. Schools should identify needs, use the graduated approach, involve parents and pupils, and make reasonable adjustments where the Equality Act requires them.
Where support through the school is not enough and the legal test may be met, a parent, school or young person can ask the local authority for an EHC needs assessment.
When Health or Mental Health Affects Attendance
Attendance difficulties should not be looked at only as a number. Where a child's anxiety, mental health, illness, disability or SEND is affecting attendance, schools and local authorities should consider what support and adjustments are needed.
Primary Education Across the UK
The detailed admissions, curriculum, attendance, SEND and exclusion information above is mainly for England. Education is devolved, so families elsewhere in the UK should use the relevant national source.