Guest post: “A later start can be the best thing for many children.”

[MumsnetGuestPosts]

My summer-born daughter Olivia is the oldest child in her school year.

Nearly four years ago I told Mumsnet all about our ‘fight’ to start her in reception at age five.

Olivia is now in Year 3 and enjoying school.

But other parents up and down the country are still fighting for the same right, with their children being made to start at age 4 or enter Year 1 at age 5.

This is despite assurances from the Schools Minister Nick Gibb in 2015, that ‘summer-born children can be admitted to the reception class at the age of five if it is in line with their parents’ wishes’, and the promise ‘to ensure that those children are able to remain with that cohort as they progress through school, including through to secondary school.’

A later start can be the best thing for many children. Olivia enjoyed her reception year, but the jump to Year 1 was a bit of a shock and she found some of Year 2 hard. I’m so glad she had that extra year of development behind her to face those challenges.

No one could pick Olivia out in a crowd; she fits in perfectly well with her class cohort and is thriving in Year 3.

Despite all the warnings that she’d be ‘on the wrong register’, be ‘the odd one out’ or ‘have to take her SATs a year early’, we haven’t encountered any problems along the way (although she did receive a birthday card with the wrong age on one year, but that’s about as tricky as it’s got!).

Olivia even thanks me for what I did.

I have always talked about it openly (and proudly) and explained my reasons to her. She tells me that she couldn’t imagine being in Year 4 right now. ‘I’m right where I belong, mummy,’ she says.

The truth is, Olivia knows more about the law than some staff who work in admission departments, and even some school heads. She often corrects adults who tell her she ‘should’ be in Year 4, saying, ‘I could be in Year 4, not should.’

Of course, every child is different. That’s why choice and flexibility is so important (but only if it’s fair for all). Some summer-born children will enjoy school from age four and do very well, while others won’t. Whatever choice parents make should be without judgement.

Every time I read about the summer-born issue it ends in confused debate, so I wanted to finish by debunking a few myths and ensuring everyone knows the facts.

What is the law? Do you know your rights?

The School Admissions Code requires councils to provide schooling for all children in the September following their fourth birthday, but a child does not reach compulsory school age until the term following their fifth birthday.

So, for a summer-born child (defined as born April 1st - August 31st), that’s a whole year later than when they could first enter school.

Here’s where it gets tricky. Summer-born children are still the only group of children who don’t have automatic right of access to reception at that point (compulsory school age); parents can only request that their child starts in reception.

Some admission authorities have a policy of automatically agreeing all requests while others will only consider requests if parents present very strong evidence of special educational needs or developmental delay.

It’s important to know that it’s your decision when your child starts school, whether prior to compulsory school age or at compulsory school age.

The admission authority for the school has to make a year group decision based on the best interests of your child at that point (i.e. compulsory school age). The discussion should not be about ‘school readiness’ or how they can meet your child’s needs at age four.

The question an admission authority must answer is: ‘What is in this child’s best interests at compulsory school age, reception or Year 1?’ It must then clearly explain the reasons for its decision.

Incredibly, it has been nearly four years since Nick Gibb’s assurances and promises, and in that time many children have been forced to miss reception or start school before their parents wanted them to.

There needs to be a consistent approach across the country, and soon.

For further information regarding the admission of summer-born children, please see the Summer Born Campaign website and join its Facebook group.

Rosie will be returning to the post on Wednesday 22nd May to answer some user questions

I suppose it depends then why people choose to defer. Nick Gibb said his reasons for giving people choice was because parents felt they had to send their children before they were ready.

I can see why sending all kids at 5 wouldn’t solve the summerborn effect, but my guess is that a lot of parents, like me, chose to defer because of school readiness, and don’t actually mind whether their child is the oldest or the youngest. While I admit that being the oldest means my child had a certain confidence, I was much more worried about the fact that at four, he dissolved into tantrums daily and cried in a room with loud noises etc. He did none of that at 5. He would probably be fine in the year 1 class but this would have meant missing year R. Maybe if infant school wasn’t so focussed on formal learning it would matter less? If Y1 wasn’t so focussed on small writing, and cursive handwriting. I do not remember my year 1 being this way. My memory is not reliable but I think I could have arrived there fine without doing my reception year. School seems different now. When I was at school we arrived in stages anyway (me in the January) but it didn’t matter because we weren’t being so heavily prepped for KS1 (which didn’t exist).

@Amibeingdaft81

How does it work in the grammar school system?

And representing your school/ county at sports?

Hi Amibeingdaft81, we have had various different responses from grammar schools, some unfortunately don't know the law very well, so often give out wrong information.

The 11+ tests are standardised so a child can sit them with their new cohort, this has already happened for children who have started school at compulsory school age and progressed past this year group.

In regards to sports teams we have found that different areas respond differently to this. Some children have been required to play in teams of their own age, whilst others haven't. My daughter has been able to play as part of a sports team which is by year group and not age and also a sports team by age.

When I say, fine in the year 1 class, I mean fine now being the youngest in a cohort (not that he would be fine just going up now - he wouldn’t, because of the way school is set up),

@llamawearingasombrero

Can a child repeat reception if necessary?

Yes, a child can repeat reception. Once a child is in school it is at the discretion of the headteacher which year group a child is educated in.

@MrsElizabethShelby

I had no idea you couldn't just apply for a school place after your child turned 5 and that they might go straight into year 1! I'm so pleased I read this post.

My DC birthday falls bang in the middle of July does this mean they will need to start at beginning of summer term or September after?

Hi MrsElizabethShelby

Your child is of "compulsory school age" on the 1st January, 1st April or 1st September following their 5th birthday.

@Snazzygoldfish

But why should only parents of summerborns have that choice? Playing devils advocate here but why can't a September-December born child start as soon as they turn four for example...and then what about the Jan-march gang-what choice do they get? Why can't everyone's parents decide when their child goes to school? The reason is that it would be chaos with massive age ranges and abilities in every class. I think there needs to be one rule for everyone and the older that is the better.

Hi Snazzygoldfish

Compulsory school age is the same for every child (I'm sure you know this). Every child has to be in school (or education otherwise) at the beginning of the term following their 5th birthday. This is the same for every child. It is not only summer borns that have this choice, it is the same for all.

However, summer born children are the ONLY group of children who cannot automatically access reception at compulsory school age…unless you live in one of the lucky postcodes that automatically allows this. Where you live should not determine a child’s right to a full education. The campaign wants to ensure that no child should be forced to miss a year of school, purely for starting at CSAge.

@Snazzygoldfish

But why can't the parents of an extremely premature march born child hVe the same option as the parents of a full term April born child?

This is what 2.17 of the school admissions code is for. They have this option.

But Elisheva that child is already 5.3yo so would unless Aprl /May have been starting already. If they are at 36m vs actual age of 63m+. And if Aug born would have been 3m into yr 1 at that same level. So certainly better off than they could have been.
The child would still need differentiation assuming same progress as they would have started yr r a yr below the youngest age of 4.
Plus other months can apply with SEN /medical reasons just not on the same grounds of summer born...

Anyway the eyfs can be ridiculous my dc nursery said something like oh we have to mark dc as up to 3 on self care? As they are not potty trained. So a child as above with an actual issue could still be considered behind. Similar to writing some cant ever hold pencil in tripod grip!
No matter what some kids will be outliers (low iq, SEN etc).
Dropping the child back a year could help but would depend on reason. And some schools do let kids retake reception.

I did this a few years ago with late August DC. When it comes to secondary admissions, I was informed that my DC will not be allowed entry in the year group they are now in for the most popular local comprehensive secondary school that is its own admissions authority, because the school will not accept out of year admissions. They would have to skip a year of education! My option is the lower performing, less popular secondary, or private.

Sorry guys, my computer has just decided to update, on my phone for now, bear with me until the computer catches up!

@OwlinaTree

Would a deferred child still be entitled to nursery provision?

Hi OwlinaTree

Yes, children are entitled to funding until your child is of compulsory school age.

However, summer born children are the ONLY group of children who cannot automatically access reception at compulsory school age…unless you live in one of the lucky postcodes that automatically allows this. Where you live should not determine a child’s right to a full education. The campaign wants to ensure that no child should be forced to miss a year of school, purely for starting at CSAge.

But march born would only get one term of reception if they started at CSA, why can't they have a whole year and be the oldest like the lucky summerborns?

@Elisheva

The other problem with this policy is the impact on disadvantaged children. 1) Their parents are less likely to delay their start because of extra childcare costs. 2) The evidence shows that actually they are better off starting school as soon as possible as their home environment is not ideal in terms of encouraging learning and development. So staying at home for an extra year makes their situation even worse.

To extend the age range in a classroom to possibly 17 months is madness and would be impossible for any teacher to manage effectively, and it would be the disadvantaged children who suffered the most.

Hi Elisheva

1. this is how the 30 hour funding can help those parents.
2. parents can ALREADY keep their child at home until compulsory school age. It is a parents decision if their child starts school prior to that, or at CSAge. It is better that we make this process easier for ALL parents so they don’t have to fight and battle like many are now.

There are already 17 month age gaps in classrooms up and down the country. This has been happening for years. There is no research to suggest this has a detrimental effect on others. Many schools have mixed year group classes too. I work in lots that do.

@Spagbowlexplosion

I think it shouldn’t go unnoticed that those that defer are usually the MC parents who’s kids already have every advantage and now that advantage is extended even further to being the oldest.

Someone’s always got to be the youngest.

Hi Spagbowlexplosion

Our campaign group (13k+ members) tells a very different story. It is a very diverse group with many families who are not 'middle class'. The research from the DfE that suggests more 'middle class' parents are likely to do this was based on a very small survey in a selected area of the country.

Also, this isn't an easy process. Some parents are hiring lawyers etc. and the law is open to interpretation - this only makes it harder for 'disadvantaged' families who want to do this. We need to make it a fair, clear and easy process for all - regardless of whether we agree with it or not. It must not be open to interpretation or for individual schools or authorities to decide.

@Snazzygoldfish

However, summer born children are the ONLY group of children who cannot automatically access reception at compulsory school age…unless you live in one of the lucky postcodes that automatically allows this. Where you live should not determine a child’s right to a full education. The campaign wants to ensure that no child should be forced to miss a year of school, purely for starting at CSAge.

But march born would only get one term of reception if they started at CSA, why can't they have a whole year and be the oldest like the lucky summerborns?

Snazzygoldfish, that would mean a change to primary legislation to alter the school starting age - there are other campaigns for that. I'm wholeheartedly behind that too.

This campaign will not solve every single problem within our education system, but it will help so many children. A summer born child starting school when they are more developmentally ready can only help other children in the classroom - it means less support for that child, less SEN diagnosis etc. Out of thousands of case studies we have only seen a positive effect - parents, teachers and children tell us this.

this isn't an easy process. Some parents are hiring lawyers etc. and the law is open to interpretation - this only makes it harder for 'disadvantaged' families who want to do this. We need to make it a fair, clear and easy process for all - regardless of whether we agree with it or not. It must not be open to interpretation or for individual schools or authorities to decide

I completely agree. If it were a fair and ‘normal’ accepted process, who is to say what ‘type’ of parent would take it up. Most people I talked to didn’t even know you could do this, and I live in a ‘permissive’ authority.

@Elisheva

The Institute of Fiscal Studies published a report which summarises all the issues: www.ifs.org.uk/comms/r80.pdf. They do not recommended delaying school start for summer born children.

summerbornchildren.org/2013/05/09/ifs-report-argues-against-flexibility-without-direct-findings/

@Highfivemum

I wish this had been the rule 20 years ago. I fought for my August Son to stay at Playgroup another year as he was only just 4. I Was told yes he can delay but will then start in Year 1 next year. He played catch up from day 1 and it does effect kids confidence. I had same problem with three of my other children all July and August Birthdays. Only one of my Children born in Feb seemed to be ready. I knew a lady who had all her 3 daughters in Sept, all planned so they were the oldest. I thought she was mad but with hindsight she was right. What happens to the children when they get to High School though. Do they have to sit GCSE early. ?

Hi Highfivemum,

Test are not age related, they are sat at the end of the key stage. Lots of children take GCSE's early these days anyway, but they absolutely don't have to.

I admire your passion and commitment to helping other families to access the benefits that your child has experienced but I really believe we have to find a better way to help all children especially those most disadvantaged. Id value your views on this research

www.tes.com/news/early-schooling-helps-narrow-boys-disadvantage-gap

@RageAgainstTheVendingMachine

Hi. Am returning to England in the Summer. DS is a June baby and will be 6 years 3 months in September so would ordinarily be going into year 2. Is there any way I can appeal to the school/LEA citing Summer Born Campaign so that he can go into year 1 instead? Reason: in Germany they do not start school until 6 so if he goes into year 2 he will effectively be two years behind already. He is verbal but only knows his letters, his fine motor skills are poor, cannot read yet. In Germany he would have been starting writing letters this year. Given all that, do you think there's a chance he could go to year 1 not year 2?

Hi RageAgainstTheVendingMachine, this is something you can certainly request. It is at the discretion of the headteacher which year group a child is taught in, once they are in school.

Today 20:08 RosieDutton

Elisheva
The Institute of Fiscal Studies published a report which summarises all the issues: www.ifs.org.uk/comms/r80.pdf.
They do not recommended delaying school start for summer born children.
summerbornchildren.org/2013/05/09/ifs-report-argues-against-flexibility-without-direct-findings/

With respect, your website seems to have misread the report.

@Elisheva

I also cannot believe it’s four years since the government’s promise and that nothing has happened I’m not sure what the Government can do. Since the change in policy to allow parents to delay their child’s entry there has been a large amount of research that has proved that the policy does not work. It does not always work for the individual child, it does not work for the population as a whole. It contributes to socioeconomic inequality which the Government is trying to address. I should think that Nick Gibb is desperately trying to work out how to reverse the decision he made without proper consultation or consideration of the consequences

There has been absolutely no research to suggest that this doesn't work, it's been happening for years without any problems. What is this research you mention? The only problem is, is that the law is open to interpretation.

Every time Nick Gibb and the DfE are asked to comment on this issue (even recently) they reiterate they are still committed to ensure that any summer born child can start school in reception at CSAge if that is their parents wish. NG is concerned children are missing their reception year.

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/604978/0209_CarolineSharp_et_al_RelativeAgeReviewRevised.pdf

“The evidence does not support the effectiveness of the following policies as a response to relative age effects:
deferred entry to school (relatively younger children starting school a year later)
retention (requiring children to repeat a year after they have started school).
The evidence suggests that the Government’s attention should be focused on ensuring appropriate and positive experiences for relatively younger children in the primary school and also on the process for identifying children with special educational needs so that differences in children’s birth dates do not become a source of continuing disadvantage for children and young people.”

I read the website response on the Ifs report, it doesn’t display too well on my phone so not sure if there are formatting issues. The gist I got from reading the report and that weblink response too it was that (as with many reports) the conclusions do not match the data. I didn’t see any comparison in the ifs report of children starting at CSA to those starting early and I didn’t see any evidence to suggest that this would be a bad thing, yet they concluded it ‘wasn’t necessary’? Conclusion not matching the data. It happens often which takes me back to the point I made a while back on the importance of evaluating the data before spreading headlines and conclusions that are often extrapolated/made up and bare little resemblance to the original data. Happy to be directed to the specific data that shows how this is an inaccurate interpretation of the report Elisheva?

@Loopytiles

I did this a few years ago with late August DC. When it comes to secondary admissions, I was informed that my DC will not be allowed entry in the year group they are now in for the most popular local comprehensive secondary school that is its own admissions authority, because the school will not accept out of year admissions. They would have to skip a year of education! My option is the lower performing, less popular secondary, or private.

Hi Loopytiles, this is an illegal policy. Secondary schools can not have a blanket policy like this. If they were to force a child to miss a year to re-join their birth cohort they would have to clearly outline why this was in the child's best interests.