The law states that children do not have to start school until the start of the term in which they reach their fifth birthday.
Schools receive government funding for each such place they fill.
Issued by the Education Secretary, David Blunkett, they are likely to become law after a period of consultation. That choice should not be curbed by schools effectively blackmailing parents into sending their child to its reception class to guarantee a place after five. These will be made up of school and local education authority representatives. An appeals panel is to be appointed by the Department for Education and Employment to make final decisions in any disputes arising from decisions made by the authorities. Local education authorities will also be required to publish clear information for parents on the allocation of school places in their area.