At what age must a child legally start school in England?

In England, the law requires that children must start attending school once they reach the age of five. This legal obligation applies to all children, and the school year begins in September, meaning children can often start school at four years old, depending on their birthday. However, they are not required to be enrolled until they are five. This framework ensures that children are given ample opportunity for early development before mandatory education begins, which is why the age of five is recognized as the official starting point for education within the English school system. Other options, such as four, six, or seven, do not align with the statutory requirement, as they either represent a younger or older age than what the law states.