AfC Info website - Kingston and Richmond

Elective home education

Education is compulsory for those children who are aged 5 to 16. Although the majority of parents choose to send their children to school, a number of parents choose to assume full responsibility for their children’s education and educate them at home. This is called Elective Home Education.

A free place at school

All children in England between the ages of 4 and 16 are entitled to a free place at a state school. Our schools are an important part of our local communities and have earned a reputation for offering high quality education. If you have been offered a place at an independent school whilst holding an offer at a state-funded school, we ask that you release the place that you are unlikely to take up. This allows other children to have the opportunity to accept the other place. 

Free early education

Children are also entitled to free early education from the age of 3 and some may be entitled to free childcare and early education from the age of 2. More information and guidance on early education.

Age ranges

There are a variety of nursery, infant, primary and secondary schools within both boroughs. These schools cover the following age ranges:

• 3 to 5 years (nursery schools and nursery classes within infant and primary schools)
• 4 to 7 years (infant schools)
• 7 to 11 (junior schools)
• 4 to 11 years (primary schools)
• 11 to 18 years (secondary schools)

Date of birth ranges for the academic year September 2023 to August 2024