evidence: Northern Ireland has one of the youngest primary school starting ages in Europe. Most children start school in September of the school year after their fourth birthday, but those whose birthdays fall between 2 July and 31 August usually start in the September after their fifth birthday. [...] Northern Ireland’s Department of Education wants to allow flexibility in the school starting age for children born between 1 April and 1 July. The proposed change to legislation would mean children not reaching compulsory school-starting age until 1 September after their fifth birthday. [...] The DfE is now bringing forward a bill to change the law on school starting age in Northern Ireland, although time is limited given that the next Stormont election is due to take place in May.