School cut-off date

[Bex]

No: HPFGUIDX 109219

Geoff noted:
>> In UK schools, the cut-off date for ages is 31st August. So anyone
> whose 11th birthday falls within that frame goes into the new First
> Year (modern Year 7). Hence, Harry is one of the youngest pupils in
> his year. <<

And then Bookworm remarked:
> If that is the cut-off JKR uses, then Hermione should be in the 
same 
> year as Ginny since her birthday is in September.  Is the cut-off 
> different in Scotland than it is in England?  Or did JKR ignore it 
> totally?


Yb considers:
Either JK ignored it, or Hermione may have been a special case. We 
don't know what cutoff date Hogwarts uses, and Hermione is rather 
close to maybe be let in early, like some Muggle schools in the US 
do. A rumored "magic quill" keeps track of all students who are born 
with magical powers, so I suppose something is used to keep track of 
children who may be showing "exceptional" power, like Hermione. Since 
she was less than 3 weeks past the deadline, DD and MM may have 
decided to bend the rules and let her in a year ahead (if 8-31 is the 
cutoff). She certainly isn't suffering for being a little younger 
(unless she's a lot older).

 I know canon doesn't note anything about the trio's birthdays, but 
has JK said that Hermione was born the same year as Harry (making her 
2 months younger) or the year before (making her 10 months older)? I 
have trouble seeing her older than Ron /AND/ Harry. Just doesn't fit 
in my mind.

~Yb