To delay school

[Fretasi]

So my DS was born late august which means he will be starting school next September and will be one of the youngest. I keep thinking that he may fall behind as he is so young, development wise he is fine? WWYD?

I'd just send him. Most authorities allow you hold them back, but they enter the following year at Year 1, not Reception, so he'd be much further behind than his peers then.

Do what's right for you but unsure they would go into reception not year one. Also check that this will move with them when they go to high school. Many high schools including most academy's expect them to return to their correct year group, this could mean missing year 6 or year 7 completely.

I understand your concerns but personally I wouldn’t. Missing the whole of reception and starting at Year 1 would be much more detrimental than being one of the youngest in the year group.

I'd send him.

Dts birthday is 29th August, the were scheduled for section on 5th September, and actually due on the 30th October.

They started at the 'right' time. They had some issues in the EYFS because the school were shit with SEND and they are both dyslexic, but are starting Y7 next week having hit all their targets and are in the top half of the class.

If his development is fine then he should go to school in the correct year group. The class he is due to be in will cater for his needs within their normal provision.

WWYD?

What are your options?

Sending them is generally better,
My daughter was born August 28th
We still sent her, its scary at the start becuse they look so small but it helped to remember that the whole year is a gradient of ages. There may be two or three children born every month so while your son is 11 months younger than the oldest two children, he will also be the same age as a few and then 1, 2, 3 months younger than even more kids. It is not like you are sending him into a class full of september born children.

My daughters reception class has two other august children, four July children and two June children. She was developmentally on track and has done absolutly fine.

@Fretasi this is up to you and how you feel your child will cope, I’m never confident there really a right or wrong with these issues. I know one mother with twins who has chosen to wait a year as she feels she wants the time. My second daughter is 12th August so she’ll be one of the youngest and we’ve put her in the preschool nursery just so she’s familiar with classmates etc, and so far she has loved it, adjusting from her old nursery seamlessly. My eldest is the oldest in her year, but her best friend is the youngest and whilst when it comes to a tiny no. of milestones eg reading, there is some difference that is down to development, her mum, teachers etc just accept this as normal (and seems to level itself out sooner or later) and consequently she’s been getting on as well as all the other girls - good teachers do help with helping you understand sensible goals etc. Did the school didn’t mention trial sessions or intro sessions? We had 3x two hour slots with other newbies to help orientate them, with parents for the first one and then we could leave them for 30 mins alone. It made all of us (daughter, dad, mum) feel so much better about it. Good luck however you choose.

There is, in most leas now, a deferred option for summer born children to go into reception a year later than normal. We have it happen for at least one child (intake of 90) most years at my school. It's not that uncommon.

That's not true. There is now provision for later born babies to start school the following year...into reception.

It depends on the individual child what is right.

Think about (and double check) secondary school admissions in the area will allow the child to remain with the lower year group.

Think about how your child will feel doing things like football club with children from the year above.

Talk to the school as well.

Then make your choice.

I didn't say all, just most. Though I guess "most" is no longer accurate. It must depend on the authority then. I work for an LEA and mine doesn't allow deferred entries, nor does the authority I reside in.

I considered deferring DD1 because she was August born and was speech delayed. But I've been told that later on she's have to jump year again 🤷🏻‍♀️ I don't understand.....

Oh god another one of these posts with tons of misinformation. Please just go to the Facebook page Flexible Admissions for Summer Borns. You'll get accurate information.