Enter the date of birth
Work out your child's age on 31 August of the current or upcoming academic year. The calculator does this for you from the date of birth.
Tools & calculators
UK school year calculator
Find your school year and term dates (England-focused; note UK nation differences). Enter a date of birth to see the year group and Key Stage, then check the year-group and term tables below.
- Year group by age on 31 August · England rule
- Three terms, typical dates · check your local authority
- Home education friendly · year groups are a reference, not a requirement
Quick answer
In England, the school year runs from early September to late July and is split into three terms: autumn, spring and summer. Your child's year group depends on their age on 31 August. This calculator helps you work out which year group applies and when terms typically run. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland follow different structures.
How to use this calculator
Three steps. The tool runs in your browser and nothing is stored.
Match the year group
Age 4 on 31 August is Reception; age 5 is Year 1, and so on up to Year 13. The full table below shows every year group and its Key Stage.
Check term dates locally
Term dates vary by local authority and by school. Academies and free schools set their own calendars, so confirm exact start and finish dates with them.
Enter your child's date of birth and pick the academic year. The result uses the England rule (age on 31 August). Home-educating families may use year groups as a reference point but are not required to follow them.
Step 1Enter your child's date of birthEngland rule: the year group is set by age on 31 August before the autumn term.
Step 2Read the year groupEngland default. Scotland starts in mid-August and uses Primary 1 to Secondary 6; Wales and Northern Ireland broadly follow the English pattern with their own term dates.
Enter a date of birth to see the England year group for 2026-27.
Year-group and term patterns follow GOV.UK and local authority guidance for England. Exact dates are set locally and change each year.
School year by age (England)Ages are as of 31 August at the start of the academic year.
| Year group | Age on 31 August | Key Stage |
|---|---|---|
| Reception (Year R) | 4-5 | Early Years / Foundation Stage |
| Year 1 | 5-6 | Key Stage 1 |
| Year 2 | 6-7 | Key Stage 1 |
| Year 3 | 7-8 | Key Stage 2 |
| Year 4 | 8-9 | Key Stage 2 |
| Year 5 | 9-10 | Key Stage 2 |
| Year 6 | 10-11 | Key Stage 2 |
| Year 7 | 11-12 | Key Stage 3 |
| Year 8 | 12-13 | Key Stage 3 |
| Year 9 | 13-14 | Key Stage 3 |
| Year 10 | 14-15 | Key Stage 4 |
| Year 11 | 15-16 | Key Stage 4 |
| Year 12 | 16-17 | Key Stage 5 (sixth form) |
| Year 13 | 17-18 | Key Stage 5 (sixth form) |
Term dates overview (England)Typical pattern only. Local authorities, academies and free schools set exact dates.
| Term | Usually runs | Half-term break |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn term | First or second week of September to mid or late December | Late October |
| Spring term | Early January to late March or early April | Mid-February |
| Summer term | Mid or late April to mid or late July | End of May or start of June |
How the UK school year works (England default; Scotland, Wales and NI may differ)
The English school year begins in early September and ends in late July. It divides into three terms, each punctuated by half-term breaks and longer holidays at Christmas, Easter and summer.
Year groups are determined by a child's age on 31 August before the autumn term starts. A child who turns five on or before 31 August enters Reception (Year R) that September. A child who turns five on 1 September or later waits until the following September.
Scotland operates a different academic calendar, typically starting in mid-August and finishing in late June. Wales and Northern Ireland broadly follow the English model but with minor variations in term dates and some structural differences in later secondary years.
Local authorities in England set their own term dates, so start and finish dates vary. Academies and free schools may also set their own calendars. Always check your local authority or school website for exact dates.
Term dates: what the overview does not tell you
Each term lasts approximately 12 to 14 weeks. Total teaching weeks across the year are typically 38 to 39.
Important: specific dates vary by local authority and by school type. Academies and free schools set their own calendars. Do not rely on generic online dates for planning. Always confirm with your local authority or school directly.
Scotland's academic year starts earlier (usually mid-August) and ends earlier (late June). Wales and Northern Ireland publish separate term-date calendars through their education departments.
For the most current statutory guidance, check GOV.UK or your local authority. Families who home educate may use year groups as a reference point but are not required to follow the National Curriculum structure.
School year vs exam year
GCSE exams are typically sat at the end of Year 11, when students are 15 or 16 years old. A levels are sat at the end of Year 13 (age 17 or 18). Both follow May/June exam series as standard, though November resits are available for most subjects.
Home-educated students can enter for GCSEs and A levels as private candidates. They do not need to follow a school calendar but must register with an exam centre well ahead of exam dates. Exam centres and awarding organisations set entry deadlines months in advance, so forward planning is essential.
Exam boards do not require students to be a specific age to sit exams, but exam centres may set their own policies. Some centres ask that GCSE candidates be at least 14 by the time they sit the exam.
Lift College supports home-educated students aged 14 to 16 with GCSE courses in a wide range of subjects, and students aged 18 or over with A level courses. Exams are sat in person as a private candidate at an exam centre. Lift College is not an exam board or exam centre.
Also exploring home education?
Home education (sometimes called home schooling or elective home education) is a legal option across the UK. Parents take full responsibility for their child's education instead of sending them to school.
You do not have to follow the National Curriculum, stick to school year groups or observe term dates. Many families find that freedom helpful. Some keep a loose structure based on school terms for routine or to coordinate with exam deadlines. Others work year-round or follow a completely different rhythm.
If you are considering home education and want structured GCSE support, Lift College offers home education GCSE courses for students aged 14 to 16, plus AI Study Support, tutor access and exam entry guidance. You can learn more on our home education hub at liftcollege.co.uk/homeschooling.
For A level options (ages 18 or over), visit our course pages directly or speak to our student advisers.
Frequently asked questions
What school year is my child in?
Find your child's age on 31 August of the current or upcoming academic year, then match it to the year-group table above. For example, a child who is 9 on 31 August 2026 (turning 10 during the year) will be in Year 5 for the 2026-27 school year.
When does the school year start in the UK?
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the school year typically starts in early September. In Scotland, schools usually begin in mid-August. Exact dates vary by local authority and by school.
Do I have to follow school terms if I home educate?
No. Home-educating families are not required to follow term dates, year groups or the National Curriculum. Many choose to use school terms as a loose framework, especially if coordinating with exam deadlines or sibling school schedules, but it is entirely optional.
Can my child sit GCSEs if they are home educated?
Yes. Home-educated students can sit GCSEs as private candidates. You will need to find and register with an exam centre, usually several months before the exam series. Lift College supports home-educated students aged 14 to 16 with GCSE courses and can guide you through the private-candidate process.
Are school year groups the same across the UK?
Broadly yes, but with some differences. England, Wales and Northern Ireland use the Reception to Year 13 structure. Scotland uses Primary 1 to Primary 7, then Secondary 1 to Secondary 6 (S1-S6). Age cut-off dates and term structures also differ.
Where can I find exact term dates for my area?
Check your local authority website or your child's school calendar. Academies and free schools may publish their own dates. Do not rely on generic online calendars, as dates vary significantly across England.
Next steps
Useful pages once you know the year group.
Hub
Home education at Lift College
Explore GCSE options, exam guidance and learning resources for home-educated students aged 14 to 16.
ToolUCAS Tariff calculator
Work out your UCAS tariff points for university applications.
ToolGCSE grade equivalence
Convert old letter grades to the 9-1 scale and compare BTEC grades.
Speak to an adviser
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