Repeating year 9 - is this the norm??

[Mpreeve]

I have another post here about trying desperately to get my son into the local secondary school, there is no update there yet. We have moved to the UK from Ireland over the summer and as he suffers with severe motion sickness, I didn't want to send him to the school that a 30minute bus drive away.
Anyhow, I am now wondering if there is a 'policy' in schools of children repeating a year?? The curriculum in Ireland is VERY different to that in England - my son has struggled through school from the start, always receiving extra support for reading, writing and maths. Toward the end of his last year in Ireland, it was suggested that he get an educational assessment - however, they knew we were moving to the UK and the results would not have been transferrable, so it was decided not to pursue that avenue.
I am now considering applying for a place for him in Year 9 based on the above (rather than year 10) but wanted to check if there is a 'policy' for this kind of thing before I approach the school, and who actually decides what year he should begin in etc?
Many thanks

[NicknameUsed]

No, it is very unusual. I would talk to the school you want to send him to and ask to speak to the SENCO.

[LIZS]

It is determined by birthdate. If you want him to repeat y9 it would be a long battle, especially with no professional reports to substantiate it, in the state system but you may find a private school willing. Take the nearest y10 place offered for now or he will fall behind with gcse courses.

[TheSecondOfHerName]

In state schools it is very unusual for a child to be educated out of their chronological year group. It usually requires recommendations from professionals such as paediatricians and educational psychologists.

Independent schools are sometimes more flexible.

[TheSecondOfHerName]

This is what I would suggest for someone in his situation:

1. Accept a Year 10 place.
2. Do a maximum of eight GCSE courses.
3. In 2018, if he gets a low grade in Maths or English, he can retake them at a further education college, along with other Level 2 (GCSE equivalent) courses.
4. He could then start Level 3 courses (e.g. BTEC) or an apprenticeship in the autumn of 2019.

[Foxyloxy1plus1]

Schools and LAs don't generally accept out of year placements for a variety of reasons. One of these is that out of year exam results don't count towards the school's results.

I'd follow second's advice.

[Longlost10]

No he can't retake year 9. Even if a school lets him sit in on year 9 lessons, he takes his GCSEs at the same age as everyone else, and leaves school at the same age as everyone else, what ever class he has been sitting in, anyway.

[CauliflowerSqueeze]

It is up to the headteacher. It is expensive for the school.