The Pūtahi Belfast School Board has adopted Cohort Entry from the beginning of 2024.

Traditionally, children in Aotearoa/ New Zealand start school on their fifth birthday or any school day after that. Recent changes to the Education Act mean schools can now adopt cohort entry: enrolling children in groups on specific days. Schools are choosing cohort entry to support positive transitions, well-being, and learning.

The Ministry of Education supports schools to implement cohort entry with 5 year old children starting school at the beginning of each term and the mid point of each term (8 intakes across the year). Tamariki must be at least 5 years old to start school but are not required to start school until their sixth birthday. This moves away from all children starting on the day they have their fifth birthday.

Cohort entry has a range of benefits for children’s well-being and learning, schools’ ability to structure transitions more easily, and for teachers, due to fewer interruptions, more time to teach. Cohort entry is about helping tamariki to settle better into school. There is evidence that starting school alongside other children helps them build relationships and supports a smoother entry to school life. Schools that are already using cohort entry believe it offers their tamariki the best start to their school life.

The Board at Pūtahi Belfast School has approved the Cohort Entry for tamariki starting school following the consultation process. The survey which was shared with the school community and Early Childhood Centres showed that 89% of responders were in favour of this and 11% asked for more information.

There will be two entry points, the first at the beginning and the second cohort will be in the middle of the term, with start dates specified by the Ministry of Education. There will be an exception for children who require a slow transition to school, usually those tamariki that are being supported by Early Intervention.

In summary:

● Cohort begins in Term 1, 2025

● There will be two cohort entries each term - Beginning and Mid Term (Dates specified by Ministry of Education)

● Children requiring a planned transition may have an individualised Graduated Entry Plan

● Cohort entry does not apply to any 5 year old who is already school age and has been attending a different school

● We encourage early enrolment to help us plan for each cohort entry.

The benefits of Cohort Entry are supported by a recent Education Review Office (ERO) study (May 2022). A summary of this study can be viewed by following the link provided - https://ero.govt.nz/our-research/starting-school-together-what-do-we-know-about-cohort-entry-summary

Please open the attachment below to view the Cohort Entry dates for 2025.