Should I keep my child down a year?

[muminsouthlondon]

My daughter is an August baby, in year 5 and I am considering keeping her down a year (so repeating year 5). She is at an independent school and they have allowed this in the past with another child. I haven't asked the school yet as before I do I would love advise from any mums or dads who have done this - pros and cons. Thanks!

I should say I have seen this in action - there is a boy in my son's class who should be in the year above chronologically - it is not at all an issue

It can be an issue when moving to secondary. Some LAs insist on child moving at the end of Y5 when child reaches secondary age or missing Y7 and moving straight to Y8.
If you decide to apply for deferral I would ensure that you have written confirmation that your child can continue out of year throughout their time in education.

There is a study that found 'redshirting' (being too old in the year) was only an advantage of you did it from the outset rather than repeating a year you had already done. I think the thought was that the knock in confidence from being held back a year when your peers weren't outweighed the boost from the easier work. Also, children who repeat a year almost always are already experiencing problems, so are less likely to do well wherever they are placed. I would think very hard before doing this, by year 5 the difference in levels between the years is not huge and my guess is your dd would be near the bottom even in the younger year group and could have her confidence permanently affected by being held back. Her friends from both years are bound to ask why and there really is no easy or face saving answer. Changing school at the same time would be preferable as it's less obvious what has happened, but she would still know and questions will still be asked eventually.

Mrz it would not be LA as she is thinking of staying in the private sector?

Not an issue anymore for secondary. That is an extremely old wives tale threatened by local authorities. I am very surprised Mrz that you repeat it but then you do seem to be ideologically opposed to CSA starts in yr r and declassification.

Red shirting is an American term. The American education system is totally different to the uk. Only a fool, oh sorry I forgot that includes the national association of headteachers, would think that making comparisons to a totally different education system with a different culture to work, children's education and upbringing, would be a valid idea.

It isn't an old wives tale

I'm opposed to it as the parent of two summer borns ...not ideologically but based on experience

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-31729536

I don't think the assumption that she wouldn't be behind in a state primary school is wide of the mark. She probably would be but in a larger class there would be more children in the same position.

You are grasping at straws regarding the idea that repeating a year equals a place in the senior school. The schools knows that she is struggling. She will not suddenly become as good as the median in Y6 by repeating a year. She will just be a bit better at Y5 and possibly bored and missing her friends. Also wondering why she is different. Moving schools at y6 is normal and you may still have to face this when she is 12. At that point, finding a place in a state school could be very problematic. Independent schools take children out of year all the way through to Y13 but as this school appears to be selective, it looks like a continual struggle for her but I guess someone has to be bottom. At least in the state system no-one is quite so blunt in making sure you know your lowly position.

Oops! That should read: I do think in the first sentence.

I would ask the headteacher at the school if your daughter would be accepted in the senior school, then consider your options.

http://schoolsweek.co.uk/gibb-fails-to-resolve-suummer-born-admissions-despite-promises/

Eat the state sector does isn't an important issue here.

What will matter is whether OP thinks she might want to change schools at 11+ or at 13, and if she does then she needs to know the (potential) future head's view on outofcohort pupils ils. It'll take a bit of research (will need to ring each possible school) but I think it's important given that her DC is already in year 5.

Because leaving at 11 - when others may do - isn't going to be particularly conspicuous. And if you research other schools you might find one or more that seems a better fit anyhow (even staying in-year).

Though you will need to get on with it, as registrations are likely to close in autumn this year.

And in these circumstances, consider putting in a state school application as well.

The points to consider are:

The negative effect that being held back may have on your child's self esteem - there is very little research into this, but what exists suggests that repeating a year can actually have a negative impact on a child's academic perform, particularly if this happens in the equivalent of KS2 or later. So, counterintuitively perhaps, children kept back a year do not necessarily "catch up".

Will your child be automatically be accepted into the senior school? If she is unlikely to pass the senior school entrance exam, are their other independent schools in your area that will accept her?

If she is struggling at school, what support has been put in place by the school? Are Learning Support involved and what are the schools concerns?

Do you feel that she may have undiagnosed learning difficulty such as dyslexia - the fact that she reads reasonably well does not discount this possibility? Have you considered getting a private assessment?

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