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Holding back a year- is it possible?

14 replies

treezylover · 16/09/2018 20:14

Hi all, I’m an infrequent poster so please bear with me! I have m twins in yr6 at a v small primary school. They were extremely prem and we’re born in August instead of October, so are v young. They are academically able and have luckily escaped unscathed but are very immature and young for their age. High school options are a massive school with little support for kids who might have extra needs (one twin is v easily distracted), or grammar which is hard to get into. Trying to push them through practicing for the 11 plus on the basis that they would get more support from the teachers at the grammar in a smaller school, but they want to go to the huge school as their friends go there (I think 3 or 4 will be going at the same time- v small cohort). Teachers have said academically they’re able, but questioned their ability to focus for the tests.

Does anyone have any knowledge of keeping kids at primary for an extra year? I wanted to defer their entry at reception but the crap bursar was unsupportive and they would have had to miss reception anyway.

I’m tying myself up in knots with this, any advice would be massively appreciated, TIA.

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WhitefriarsDillyDuck · 16/09/2018 20:21

It isn't a case of what the primary will do.

The secondary needs to accept them out of chronological age- so they would go into Y7 and not Y8. That is unlikely, even more so with a selective grammar as everyone could keep their child back to increase ether chances of passing.

If they don't have a EHCP then I would say it is very very unlikely. Even with an EHCP the view is that children should be back in their chronological year group by the end of a key stage.

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treezylover · 16/09/2018 20:24

It made a me so sad, August babies are set up to be disadvantaged across the board, I desperately wish schools would do more to support them. I asked the head at the grammar who said they could potentially apply to join in yr 8 dependent on places, but it would mean a year with their friends at the big school, and more upheaval. I honestly feel like if they were sitting the 11plus next year they would walk it. Thanks for your reply!

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JasperCopeland · 16/09/2018 20:34

I don't think the funding would work for your children to get an extra year of schooling OP. Are you having private tuition for the 11 plus?

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treezylover · 16/09/2018 20:38

Only a few hours to help with maths, as they’re in a mixed age class and I’m not sure they’re pushed as much as they need to be. we came late to the game in considering the grammar school which hasn’t helped. Tutor has said they know what they need to do, they’re just not fast enough which is just about the story of our lives so far!😣

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Norestformrz · 16/09/2018 21:04

Highly unlikely that the LA would agree to hold them back at this stage

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WhitefriarsDillyDuck · 16/09/2018 22:11

Isn't the 11 plus age weighted?

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treezylover · 17/09/2018 07:48

I think I might have just accidentally reported your post? So sorry! Yes it’s age weighted but only I think by three points, not enough to make a meaningful difference. It’s more their level of focus which is the issue- they can’t even walk around the schools without climbing on everything! I suppose I’m just so frustrated that they will forever be disadvantaged by their birth- the irony is that I had planned the pregnancy for ‘the baby’ to be born in autumn because of the difference between autumn and summer borns. Best laid plans...!

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Shantotto · 17/09/2018 15:42

Speak to TAMBA. I'm on the flexible school admissions for summerborn Facebook page and they help a lot with CSA reception starts. You might have some success with repeating a year, especially as your children were premature. They'd just end up in the cohort they would have been in if you'd gone for a reception start at CSA.

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WhitefriarsDillyDuck · 17/09/2018 16:24

They are year 6- how would they feel to be moved into Year 5?

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whoareyou123 · 17/09/2018 16:56

Would repeating a year where they have covered everything before really help their lack of focus?

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Foxyloxy1plus1 · 18/09/2018 22:21

What would you like schools to do to support summer born children? Why do you feel they aren’t supported now? If they’re academically able, they’ll be able to cope at secondary school and there will be plenty of other summer born children there.

Schools are reluctant to move children out of year group and some authorities absolutely refuse to. There are lots of issues, including statistics, particularly for GCSE.

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Hersetta427 · 18/09/2018 23:06

Not possible I don't believe in the state system- certainly possible if you were willing to go private. Choose a good state school where they will be supported at secondary school is the best option for you.

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Miketv · 18/09/2018 23:20

Sorry you find yourself in this position. It was interesting that a previous poster said that children who have delayed entry are expected to join their "correct" year group within a key stage.

We're looking at delaying primary school admission and the local high school said they would keel them in the school year group they'd always been in.

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Haworthia · 18/09/2018 23:24

This is a slightly different scenario, but might be relevant to you.

There is a child with Downs in my child’s year at school. They spent two years in Reception and have now (I believe) moved to Year 1. However, because a child can only spend three years at Infant school, moving into Year 2 next year isn’t an option. It’s jump straight into Year 3 with the original cohort, or go to a special school (which is probably the best option).

So, bearing that in mind, it may not be possible to spend another year at Junior school, having been there for four years already.

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