starting school a year later

[mckenzie]

hi all

does anybody please know is it our right to have our son start school a year late? He will be 4 in June and so by rights would start school in the september but if we think he's not ready, are we allowed to keep him back for a year?
Do we have to appeal or somehting?

According to my mum (who is primary head) she has to legally hold a place open for a child until the term in which is he is five, even though most other children will have started in Sept. This may be just her LEA she is not sure.

It is worth cheacking with the LEA. Schools won't want to do this because they lose money.

V tickled by ks1, SueW!

Gomez, here it is basically Reception followed by Y1-Y2 in the infants (KS1);

then Y3-Y6 in the juniors (KS2);

then Y7-Y11 up to GCSE (KS3 & 4);

then Y12-13 for A levels. Total of 14 years - is that what you said? (Can't check now I've previewed!)

There are LEAs though where they have middle schools - not quite sure where the changeovers happen there - age 10-14 maybe? Y6-Y9?

Ah - 13 years in Scotland, necause yours do Highers (1 year) rather than A Levels (2 years).

necause???? oops!

Thanks JanH - now confused thou as although we do highers you do these in fifth year and then can carry on and do SYS (Sixth Year Studies) which is basically a hard higher and gives the same number of points as an A-level. Well you did in the '80s anyway. Not sure how it works now to be fair. Strange but not so important!

Gomez, we're in Scotland. In our area children have two years of nursery schooling, if parents wish it. Then there are seven years of primary and six of secondary school. Ime, schools will not take children any earlier than the stated ages so your almost 4yo would start school in 2005. Hth.

Thanks SueD - I know that DD will start in 2005 which then got me thinking about the total number of years of schooling as she would start a year earlier in England/Wales/NI just a bit purplexed that Scottish childern appear to get a years less proper schooling if you know what I mean?! 13 as opposed to 14.

Either a plot to keep us dim and opressed or may be our kids are just brighter! LOL

Oh, iswym, Gomez! But I think it depends on what English schools do in their reception year. From what I've heard from friends and on Mumsnet, English Reception seems to be the same as Scottish nursery level. I wouldn't worry about it at all - lots of countries don't send children to school until they are 6 or 7yo. And let's not forget, there are plenty of Scots in the Westminster govt.

Sue - I am not sure we should say that too loudly, not convinced Gordon's efforts to improve the economy are too popular at the mo!

And I am not at all worried - I think the later the better to be honest.

Cheers

Lol, Gomez!