CHILDREN starting at primary schools around Bexley in 2009 will now all face their first day in the classroom at the same time.

Councillors last night agreed to to change the current rules and opted for a single entry point for all primary schools from September 2009.

That means children born between September 1, 2004 and August 31, 2005 will now all begin school on the same day in September.

The previous system, whereby children started school on two different dates depending on when they were born, has been scrapped in favour of the new arrangements.

At the same meeting it was decided that the admission numbers for several schools would change.

The council's school admissions manager Keith Porter said: "The admission numbers for Belvedere Infant School will be increased from 80 to 90 pupils while in the secondary schools Cleeve Park will be reduced from 240 to 180 pupils. That is to reflect the demand for places in those areas."