To start or not to start

[Ferfecksackmammy]

My son has just turned 4, and due to start primary school in August. Because he's a January birthday I can choose to defer. He is bright and curious. He has a genetic condition (spinal Muscular Atrophy) and is a wheelchair user.

I feel he would manage fine with school now but looking to the future I feel he would benefit from being older as he moves through the education system. I would be interested in pros and cons of starting this year or holding off till next year.

In England, all children reach compulsory school age in the term they turn 5. So with you son being 5 next January he would only be able to defer until the end of that term, meaning he would have to start school in March. It's a tough decision for sure but because of that he'd be joining a cohort of children who will have been playing together since September, plus all the learning they'll also have done since September, so it might be difficult for him to join having missed so much both socially and academically x

I should add, you do have the option to send him only part time until he reaches compulsory school age so perhaps that would be something that would work for both of you x

Sorry should have said we're in Scotland.

Would the physical demands of the school day put him at a disadvantage? And would this be ameliorated by him being a year older when he starts?

If not, I would say start him with him peers.

You may find that nurseries / preschools won't take him for an extra year - my friend experienced similar when she decided to defer as her child had developmental delay.

He's full time in Nursery just now and copes well.

I get the impression it's fairly common to defer in Scotland. I would, there's no advantage to starting younger than necessary.

Yes I would defer a January birthday - especially now that it is becoming much more common. It makes a huge difference in secondary, even if they are 'ready' now

Oh that's really lucky! I'd defer then if you think it would be what's best for him, especially as he gets older x

That's my feeling. I have a meeting wit the nursery in the next few weeks and I think they're going to suggest he starts school.