Nursery World - Primary Review: Research fails to endorse early school starting age

The assumption that England's early starting age for primary education is beneficial for later attainment is not well supported in research, according to the latest Primary Review reports.

The Cambridge University-based review has issued another three reportsusing international comparisons to consider the structure of the UK'sprimary system and curriculum. Reports 3/1 and 9/1 look at systemorganisation, policy, school structure, school starting ages, curriculumand assessment. Report 3/3 looks at alternative ways of thinking aboutthe curriculum.

Report 9/1 compares six countries (England, Scotland, Germany, TheNetherlands, Sweden and New Zealand) and finds considerable differencesin school starting ages, ranging from four to seven years.

The report concludes that there is little evidence to support either anearly or later start in school, but says that there are particularconcerns about the provision for four-year-olds in receptionclasses.

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