Age placement guide, academic year 2025–26
In England, year-group placement is based on your child’s age on 31 August before the school year starts. The tables below show the standard placement for the 2025–26 academic year, alongside the mapping to Sophia’s stages.
How UK placement works
Based on the child’s age on 31 August before term starts.
Most children are placed with peers of the same age.
Summer-born children may, in some cases, start later by agreement with the admission authority.
Sophia’s stages
Primary School, Reception–Year 6
Lower Secondary, Years 7–9
Upper Secondary, Years 10–13
Languages and options
Academic year runs from 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2026. Year-group is determined against that window.
Standard placement for 2025–26
Find your child’s date of birth to see the expected year group, typical age on 31 August 2026, key stage and Sophia stage.
| Year group | Date of birth | Age on 31 Aug 2026 | Key Stage | Sophia stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reception | 1 Sep 2020 – 31 Aug 2021 | 5 | EYFS | Primary |
| Year 1 | 1 Sep 2019 – 31 Aug 2020 | 6 | KS1 | Primary |
| Year 2 | 1 Sep 2018 – 31 Aug 2019 | 7 | KS1 | Primary |
| Year 3 | 1 Sep 2017 – 31 Aug 2018 | 8 | KS2 | Primary |
| Year 4 | 1 Sep 2016 – 31 Aug 2017 | 9 | KS2 | Primary |
| Year 5 | 1 Sep 2015 – 31 Aug 2016 | 10 | KS2 | Primary |
| Year 6 | 1 Sep 2014 – 31 Aug 2015 | 11 | KS2 | Primary |
| Year 7 | 1 Sep 2013 – 31 Aug 2014 | 12 | KS3 | Lower Secondary |
| Year 8 | 1 Sep 2012 – 31 Aug 2013 | 13 | KS3 | Lower Secondary |
| Year 9 | 1 Sep 2011 – 31 Aug 2012 | 14 | KS3 | Lower Secondary |
| Year 10 | 1 Sep 2010 – 31 Aug 2011 | 15 | KS4 | Upper Secondary |
| Year 11 | 1 Sep 2009 – 31 Aug 2010 | 16 | KS4 | Upper Secondary |
| Year 12 | 1 Sep 2008 – 31 Aug 2009 | 17 | KS5 | Upper Secondary |
| Year 13 | 1 Sep 2007 – 31 Aug 2008 | 18 | KS5 | Upper Secondary |
Key stages in England
EYFS Reception.
KS1 Years 1–2.
KS2 Years 3–6.
KS3 Years 7–9.
KS4 Years 10–11 (GCSE).
KS5 Years 12–13 (A-Level).
Notes for families
- Summer-born children, born 1 April to 31 August, may request delayed start to Reception by agreement with the admission authority.
- Educating outside the normal year group is possible in exceptional cases following the School Admissions Code.
- International applicants are placed by date of birth against the English calendar.