§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list those local education authorities in England and Wales which have a policy of once a year entry to school for rising five-year-olds; what entry procedures the remaining authorities employ; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ForthInformation on Welsh practice is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Wales. The term "rising fives" usually relates to children who are still four at the outset of a school term but will reach five before the term is over. A policy of admitting "rising fives" is thus one involving termly admissions to primary school. This practice has been widespread in England for years. We are aware that, more recently, numbers of local education authorities have adopted, or moved towards, a single entry date at the start of the school year in which a child becomes five, but records of individual authorities' practices are not kept centrally.
§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what guidance he gives to local education authorities about the timing of entry into schools of rising five-year-olds; and if he has any plans to change the current arrangements.
§ Mr. ForthLocal education authorities are required to secure that all children receive schooling from the start of the term following their fifth birthday. The admission of younger children is a matter for local discretion. My right hon. Friend has issued no guidance on the arrangements that might be made in this discretionary area and has no plans to do so.