Taking child out of reception to work abroad for 6 months

[MrsO82]

My daughter is in reception at her local school, I’ve recently been offered a position abroad on a temporary contract for 6 months. The opportunity is very good and with the current climate I can’t really afford to turn it down. My question is has anyone else had to take their child out of school for similar or travelling and did the school allow you to keep your child’s place or would I have to deregister her? I’m just wondering about if they would make me deregister her due to it affecting attendance for the school etc? I’m not sure how it all works that end. I will have time to home school her whilst we are away so I can make sure she is getting education.

[GoWalkabout]

I don't know, but worth asking or seeing if she can go straight on the waiting list for year 1 when you go? I hope the school are helpful.

[autumnboys]

I think you will have to deregister, I’m afraid and depending on your area, accept she won’t be able to return to the school when you get back. Do talk to them though, hopefully they can offer some reassurance.

[Fizzgigg]

They'll definitely deregister her and you'll need to apply for a place again when you're back

[Helenluvsrob]

You wound deregister and re ally no promise of a place or even that you’d be no 1 on wait list.
Sounds a great opportunity though

[Crazydogmumma]

You would definitely need to deregister her and her place would not be guaranteed on your return. You could ask the school if they have spare places in her cohort which may put your mind at rest. I think last years cohort was not a huge year so you may be lucky.
Regarding missing 6 months of school - would she attend an international school or kindergarten where you are moving to? Young children are extremely adaptable and experiencing a new country, way of life, language is all part of education- and will give her a wider perspective of life which I believe is an asset.
Catching up on ‘formal education’ like phonics etc can be achieved and as long as you read lots with her, talk to her, enjoy experiencing number, shape etc as a practical part of daily life- she will be fine. I would go and enjoy your adventure- I speak as a headteacher.

[NailsNeedDoing]

My school wouldn’t allow you to keep the place, I assume that would be the same for all state schools.

It sounds like a wonderful opportunity that your dd could benefit from, but if she’s going to miss the end of reception and the start of year 1, prepare yourself for what could easily be a difficult start back to school. The jump in school expectations from YR to Y1 is already a big one when children are in for all of it, but only you can decide of your child is likely to be one that adapts well or struggles, and whether it’s worth it or not.

[DancesWithDaffodils]

Assuming you are in England (I dont know how the other countries in the UK would handle it) you wont be allowed to keep the school place.
You will need to apply for a in year place once you have returned to England, and the school offered then will be wherever has spaces - usually the less popular schools.
If it is a 6 month placement, with limited expectation of extension, have you considered going alone, with the 6 week summer holiday being a long visit to your temporary home?

[MrsO82]

Thank you, she is one of the eldest in her year and is very advanced with speech, phonics and school work etc. I can definitely look into kindergarten where I would be going so that’s something to think about. Thank you for your reply x

[TokenGinger]

In the current climate, it could be worth a discussion with the school re: online learning. All schools have to provide an online learning package anyway for those who are isolating.

It's a long stretch as I agree with all posters above who say it's usual practice to register, but the current climate may allow for her to learn from wherever you go.

I work with a lot of schools, and at a recent governing body meeting, the pupil numbers highlighted the fact that there are currently 12 pupils in Pakistan but they are accessing online lessons every day without fail so their attendance isn't an issue.