2025 mid-term dates for schools with cohort entry

Lyttelton School implements Cohort Entry having new-entrant children start school either at the beginning or mid point of a term. We have 8 intakes across the year. Students must be at least 5 years old but are not required to start school until their sixth birthday.

For 2025 the cohort entry dates are:

Cohort 1 - Term 1 start:  Tuesday 4th February
Cohort 2 - Term 1 mid entry: Monday 10 March
Cohort 3 - Term 2 start: Monday 28 April
Cohort 4 - Term 2 mid entry: Tuesday 3 June
Cohort 5 - Term 3 start: Monday 14 July
Cohort 6 - Term 3 mid entry: Monday 18 August
Cohort 7 - Term 4 start: Monday 6 October
Cohort 8 - Term 4 mid entry: Monday 10 November

Cohort entry is about helping children to settle better in school.

There's evidence that starting school alongside other children helps children build relationships and supports a smoother entry to school life.

We believe the cohort entry policy offers children the best start to their school life. It can also mean less disruption for new entrant teachers who can prepare for groups of children arriving on a specific date rather than on an individual and ad hoc basis throughout the year.

The Lyttelton Primary School Board of Trustees considered all feedback following consultation with current parents, school staff, local early childhood centres and prospective parents in making this decision.