How old are you in each school year? UK year group ages explained

Last updated: June 2026

Children in England start Reception at age 4 and move through to Year 13 at age 17 to 18. Here is every year group, the typical age range, and the key stage it falls under.

The school year runs from 1 September to 31 August. Children are placed in year groups based on their date of birth, not when they feel “ready.” A child born on 31 August will be in the same year group as a child born on 1 September the previous year — making them almost a full year younger than some of their classmates.

Below you’ll find every year group from Nursery through to Year 13, the ages children typically are during that year, the key stage it falls under, and the date of birth ranges for the current academic year.

Looking for your child's exact school start date? Use our School Start Date Calculator to find out when your child will begin Reception based on their date of birth.

How Old Are You in Each Year Group?

Here is a complete table of every year group in the English school system, showing the typical age range, key stage, and school type.
 

Note: These ages assume the child’s birthday falls within the standard UK academic year (1 September to 31 August). A child turns the older age in the range at some point during that school year.

Date of Birth Ranges for the 2026/27 Academic Year

If you want to know which year group your child is currently in, find their date of birth in the table below. 
 

Last updated June 2026. We update this table every September so you always have the current year's date of birth ranges.

How Old Are You in Reception?

Children in Reception are aged 4 or 5. They must turn 4 by 31 August before the September they start school. This means a child born on 1 September 2020 started Reception in September 2025, while a child born on 31 August 2021 also started in September 2025 — despite being almost a full year younger.

Reception is part of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and is the first compulsory year of school in England. Children learn through a mix of structured activities and play, covering areas like literacy, numeracy, and personal development. 

Use our School Start Date Calculator to check exactly when your child will be in Reception. 
 

How Old Are You in Year 1?

Children in Year 1 are aged 5 or 6. This is the first year of Key Stage 1, where children move from the play-based learning of Reception into a more structured curriculum. Year 1 covers phonics, basic reading and writing, and introductory maths. At the end of Year 1, children take the Phonics Screening Check.
 

How Old Are You in Year 2?

Children in Year 2 are aged 6 or 7. This is the final year of Key Stage 1. At the end of Year 2, children are assessed through teacher assessment in reading, writing, maths, and science (KS1 SATs are now optional — schools can choose whether to use the formal tests or their own assessments to inform teacher judgements). Year 2 builds on the reading, writing, and maths foundations laid in Year 1.
 

How Old Are You in Year 6?

Children in Year 6 are aged 10 or 11. This is the final year of primary school and Key Stage 2. Children sit their KS2 SATs in May, which test English reading, maths, and grammar/punctuation/spelling. Year 6 is also when parents apply for secondary school places — most local authorities require applications by 31 October in the autumn term.
 

How Old Are You in Year 7?

Year 7 is the first year of secondary school. Children are aged 11 or 12. It marks the start of Key Stage 3 and is a big transition — new school, new subjects, new teachers, and often a longer journey to school. Most children start Year 7 in the September after they finish Year 6.
 

How Old Are You in Year 9?

Children in Year 9 are aged 13 or 14. This is the final year of Key Stage 3 and a pivotal point in secondary education. During Year 9, most students choose their GCSE options — the subjects they’ll study in Years 10 and 11. It’s worth researching option choices early, as some schools require decisions by the spring term.
 

How Old Are You in Year 11?

Children in Year 11 are aged 15 or 16. This is the final year of Key Stage 4 and the year students sit their GCSE exams (typically in May and June). After Year 11, students must continue in some form of education or training until age 18 — this can be sixth form, college, or an apprenticeship.
 

What Are Key Stages?

The English National Curriculum is divided into five key stages, each covering a specific age range and set of year groups. Here’s a quick summary:

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) covers Nursery and Reception, for children aged 3 to 5. The focus is on learning through play, developing communication skills, and building social confidence.

Key Stage 1 (KS1) covers Years 1 and 2, for children aged 5 to 7. Children begin formal learning in reading, writing, maths, and science. The Phonics Screening Check happens at the end of Year 1.

Key Stage 2 (KS2) covers Years 3 to 6, for children aged 7 to 11. The curriculum broadens to include history, geography, languages, and more. KS2 SATs take place at the end of Year 6.

Key Stage 3 (KS3) covers Years 7 to 9, for children aged 11 to 14. Students study a wide range of subjects at secondary school before narrowing their focus for GCSEs.

Key Stage 4 (KS4) covers Years 10 and 11, for students aged 14 to 16. This is the GCSE phase. Students study both compulsory and chosen subjects, with exams at the end of Year 11.

Key Stage 5 (KS5) covers Years 12 and 13, for students aged 16 to 18. Students typically study A-levels, BTECs, T-levels, or a combination at sixth form or college.
 

Summer-Born Children: Why Ages Overlap

You’ll notice every year group spans two ages (e.g., Year 7 is “11–12”). That’s because children born in September are almost a year older than those born in August within the same year group.

A child born on 2 September 2013 turned 12 at the very start of Year 7, while a child born on 28 August 2014 didn’t turn 12 until nearly the end of Year 7. Both are in the same class.

This age gap is why some parents of summer-born children (born April–August) consider requesting a delayed start to Reception. If you’re in this situation, our School Start Date Calculator (/when-does-my-child-start-school-calculator) can help you work out the standard start date, and you can then discuss deferral options with your local authority.
 

Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland

The year group structure above applies to England. The systems differ slightly in other parts of the UK:

Scotland uses a different naming system (P1–P7 for primary, S1–S6 for secondary) and has a different age cut-off — children must turn 5 by the end of February (not August) to start school that year. This means some children born in January or February can request to defer entry by a year.

Wales follows a similar structure to England with Reception through Year 13, but the Curriculum for Wales has replaced the National Curriculum, with different assessment arrangements.

Northern Ireland starts compulsory education at age 4 (a year earlier than England). Children are placed in year groups based on a 1 July to 30 June cut-off, rather than the 1 September to 31 August window used in England.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What age do children start school in England?

Children start Reception at age 4 or 5. They must turn 4 by 31 August before the September they begin. Compulsory school age is the term after a child turns 5, but most children start in Reception the September before.

Can my child skip a year group?

It’s rare but possible. Parents can request that a child is placed in a year group above or below their age-appropriate group. The decision is made by the school’s head teacher or the local authority, depending on the type of school.

When does my child move from primary to secondary school?

Children move to secondary school (Year 7) in the September after they finish Year 6. Most children are 11 years old when they start secondary school. Parents typically apply for secondary places by 31 October the year before.

What happens after Year 11?

Students must stay in education or training until age 18. Options include A-levels, BTECs, T-levels, or apprenticeships. Sixth form (Years 12–13) is the most common route.

Is Year 6 the last year of primary school?

Yes. Year 6 is the final year of primary school and Key Stage 2. Children take their KS2 SATs in May of Year 6 and then move to secondary school the following September.