Keeping child out of year

[Kanga59]

My son has development delay and isn't expected to catch up, only drift further behind as time goes on. He's starting nursery at a private school in September and tbh I would be very happy for him to do two years in nursery, then two years in reception. Then reassess what to do with him after that.

Does anyone have experience of keeping children out of year at school, either state or private? My son is starting in private but will probably end up at state after a few years because we couldn't afford the TA's salary once he hits Y1 and it becomes more of an issue.

I'm being quite presumptuous with how his school life will pan out but I feel it's quite a good prediction that he will be suited for nursery for 2y and then ready to move on to reception.

It seems to me to make sense to teach children in a year group for which they are emotionally and developmentally matched. But is this not how it is in real life? I'd love to hear your opinions and experiences. Thank you for reading

[LIZS]

Have you discussed his needs with the school yet and your proposal? Private schools are not obliged to accept him as a pupil in e same way as a state school, nor are they all as gears up for SEN. Best to be upfront now in case they foresee issues later.

[Kanga59]

Yes they have all the info. very inclusive. I haven't asked about repeating years.

do you have experience or advice on my first post xx

[Littlefish]

Does this mean that he would be 2 years behind his chronological year?

When is your ds's birthday?

If you are planning to move back to the state system as early as year 1 then I would strongly suggest speaking to the state school you hope he will attend. If you apply for an education and health care plan then you may also be able to apply for him to be educated out of year.

If you don't do this, then there is every chance that your ds will have to return to his chronological year when he moves from private to state.

[Kanga59]

Yes that's right. I spoke to our EYSENIT about keeping him out of year and she said to see how things go first which I agree with to some extent although I can't help but wonder if there are other children out there who have successfully stayed in the year to which they are best suited to developmentally, hence this post

[Littlefish]

I've been a teacher for 18 years and have once known a child to be educated out of year (one year behind his chronological year), but have never known or heard of a child educated 2 years out of their chronological year.

It may not be what you want to consider, but special schools seem to provide the sort of developmental provision you are talking about.

It might be worth looking at Montessori schools as well, although they are few and far between.

You could also try asking for this thread to be moved to the main SEN topic, rather than the SEN education topic as that is where most of the action seems to be!

[Carrotcrocpot]

My son did an extra year at nursery, started at private school for reception (local authority wouldn't entertain the idea, which is why we went that route) he did reception, y1 and Y2. It was money well spent. Small classes, teachers really knew him and supported him and helped him with friendships etc. During y2 (he was 7) we had an educational psychology assessment as we knew he was not really making progress and the work was piling on and the other kids were pulling away, widening the gap. It ended up with him getting a statement and we moved him to a more specialist setting. Our son has quite profound SpLD so a good five years behind literacy (he is now ten) and at the time I was so focussed on his learning I underestimated the social necessities. Think carefully about the age or profile of child your child is best suited to integrate with as much as the academics - you want them to learn but that comes with feeling secure and confident. View schools. Speak to your local parent partnership and do your research. You know your child best.

[BeccaMumsnet]

Hi all - we're going to pop this over to SN Children for the OP.

[Kanga59]

Thank you both, very helpful. Little fish I will look int the special schools nearby (I don't think there is one within 5 miles though unfortunately) and also Montessori. There is definitely a Montessori nursery nearby but I don't know about schools.

Carrot, I know this is what will happen with my son too because I have a child who has already been through the system there. Small classes, teachers know him inside out, very nurturing and huge pastoral support. I don't think my littlest who has development delay will be able to keep up with the academics though once he's a few more years on.

It's good to know that it's not unheard of, and that my son will very possibly be OK to stay at his small private school for a few years,before we reassess and maybe go down the special school route.

[mydutifullaunderette]

I know of children currently educated more than one year outside their chronological age, due to global developmental delay. This is in a smaller state primary, who choose to be flexible and have the child educated in the class that feels the right fit for their needs.

[Kanga59]

That's great to hear.

[HWTA]

I work in a private primary school. We currently have one child one year behind their chronological age. We are in the latter stages of obtaining their EHCP. Despite the ed psych stating in his report that they should stay in their current year group the LA are really pushing for them to go into their chronological year. Some LA's are probably better at allowing this than others but from what I gather most are very reluctant to do so.

[Tambaboy]

Ds' case is different as he is older but he is going to repeat y4 because otherwise he would have to move to another school in y5 and no one thinks he would be able to cope with it. This way he will be able to remain in his school up to y6 as it's converting into a primary. HT spoke to LEA and they agreed immediately as they know they don't have anything better to offer.
To be honest I don't know how is going to work out. We'll see.