The message from a major primary education review is that formal learning in England should start later - at 6 years old.

However, formal learning is more beneficial from the age of six ( p64).

These experiences will lay the foundation for the more formal learning which will develop in the next stage of their school career.

This report talked about the importance of the first years of formal learning.

That is the less formal learning that goes on at the academy.

"When informal learning declines, formal learning must take its place."

Schools represent a relatively powerful series of environments, not all concerned with formal learning.

In the second-seven-year period, the child is ready for formal learning.

"Countries where children start more formal learning at six or seven actually overtake us as the children get older."

In formal learning, "the whole idea of earlier is better is just wrong," he said.