The small steps of a child into his or her first school should not be giant leaps of faith for their parents left at the gate.

Instead the primary years should be a wonderful moment of realisation for both parties as the preparation they have undertaken together begins to unfold into a definitive and progressive education.

Primary schools educate children from ages 5 to 11 (a number admit younger children into nursery classes). The Good Schools Guide online has details of every primary, infant, first and junior school in the UK including, for England only, a detailed analysis of examination results and catchment area maps.