Parents of summer borns who deferred school entry! Any regrets?

[JL0]

My DC was born on 30 August 2020 and is due to start school in September 2024. My other half and I are on the fence about whether we should defer them to September 2025, but are leaning slightly towards deferral.

The impact of being summer born is well-documented through research (eg lower academic attainment, lower self-esteem). Based on these factors alone, the argument for deferral seems strong.

I'm less clear on the "cons" of deferral. I haven't found any research on this point. Anecdotally, I've heard stories about deferred children struggling emotionally and/or being socially isolated because they're older than their peer group.

Parents of deferred children - do you have any regrets? Have your children struggled emotionally or socially because they are older? Are there any other disadvantages to deferral?

For context, my DC is a pretty "normal" 3 year old. Meets their milestones. Is often shy in new settings. No SEN concerns. Attends preschool 4 days a week.

@Violettrance that depends on whether it's a community school (in which case it's the council's decision, although they will.most likely consult the head) or a ln academy (in which case it's the school's decision.

But yes, start your own thread, or better yet, join the Flexible School Admissions for Summer Borns Facebook group

Definitely join the Facebook Group Flexible School Admissions for Summer Borns.

Voluntary aided schools, free schools and academies will all have their own policy and you would have to contact their relevant admission authority rather than the council.

another perspective. my DC is in a Y6 primary school class with a kid who turned 12 near the beginning of the year. So the 12yo is nearly a full year older than the older kids in the class, and nearly two years older than the younger ones. Not premature, no SEN. It's an academically selective school. Just gaming the system.
Every time this 12yo wins something or comes top of the class, there's a perception among the other kids that they've cheated. Because really, they should be in secondary school, competing with their chronological peers. And frankly I think they have a point.
I'm generally in favour of flexibility, and think that premature kids should be automatically deferred according to their due date and kids with SEN should be deferred if the parents think its best for them, but if there's no real reason to defer then there comes a point where parents are taking the piss.

I might be being daft here but I don't really understand how this is possible?! The summer born children allowed to defer are born between April and August. My daughter was born on 19th August and I'm going to defer her when she gets to school age because there's a strong chance she'll be ND (her dad and I are) and also she'll have a lot more in common with her compulsory school age group than she would her assigned year group. She was only two weeks off being in CSA group after all.

RichinVitaminR i assume it’s a private school that Lebr is discussing, as you won’t find an academically selective state primary school. My Dec born niece is in the year below at a private school.

Turned 12 at the start of the year six? Not a summer born. So irrelevant to this discussion.

Plus, how do you know there's no sen etc?

The class sound like they're bullying their classmate.

This is what I thought?! Not really anything to do with summer born children being deferred 🙄

@Catleveltired Also yes, this. What this person has said isn't remotely relevant at all.

You cant tell at 3 if there are sen though.
Even kids in nappies at school at 4 are generally undiagnosed or with no speech.

Even prior to covid kids i know of diagnosed at 5-7 or so.

Hi,
Just wondering what you ended up doing and how your child is doing now?
Thanks