Does my Kindergartner have to go to school?

Hi,
I;m Elly, yesterday my husband my son and I all boarded a one way plane to London from MA. Now we've arrived we've got lots to sort out, mainly Housing and Schools.
My son is 5, he's been in kindergarten since September this school year and I'm aware he will now be in Reception right, or Year 1? (his birthdays July 30th).
What I'm asking is does he legally have to go to school this year or can he start next year?

Does anybody know?
Also any tips generally in living in the UK, it seems daunting now we've actually arrived!

If he were English, he would have started school the first term after he turned five. So that would have been in August. Legally, he needs to be enrolled full time in school. I'm not sure how admissions work at this stage, but you can find more information here:Choosing a school: getting started or you can google your local authority and find school info on their site.

Being enrolled in school is not mandatory. The law states that children must receive an education in "school or otherwise". So if you don't want to enrol him just yet, then you can wait.

(Just in case you wanted the actual law -

Section 7 of the Education Act 1996, applying to England & Wales:

"The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him to receive efficient full-time education suitable—

a: to his age, ability and aptitude, and

b: to any special educational needs he may have,

either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.")

Life is education otherwise, and surely moving countries is enough of a life-learning experience to wait to enrol in school whenever you and your child feel ready to do it! And if he isn't enrolled, they don't even need to know he isn't going.