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Original poster

Should i put my child back into reception

49 replies

DianaSoraya · 19/10/2021 18:22

I had a parents evening call today. My son is 5 years old born 3 months early and is an august baby. The teachers are concerned hes not fully developed to be in year 1 as hes struggling to catch up to the other kids. We suspect he has a case of adhd but cannot be diagnosed as hes too young. They have suggested putting him back in reception and starting year 1 next year . I dont know what to do. I see he has difficulties but he has come so far. Hes learnt how to spell his name count to 20. And he has made so many friends already his class loves him. But is moving him back a year going to help him in the long run? I have no idea what to do !

OP posts:
stairway · 19/10/2021 18:27

I would leap at the chance. He should have been in that year anyway. August born children are much more likely to be labelled as SEN.

CottonSock · 19/10/2021 18:28

I think I would too. He stands a much better chance being older in the year group.

minipie · 19/10/2021 18:31

Oh that’s tricky and he will miss his friends in the short term but I do absolutely think it will be best in the long run if he moves classes now. He can still see his y1 friends at playtime presumably and you could do playdates with them so he won’t lose them altogether.

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Fridafever · 19/10/2021 18:33

My niece did this (exactly same timings) and it’s been very successful.

CocaColaTruck1 · 19/10/2021 18:34

I would op

BingBongToTheMoon · 19/10/2021 18:35

Definitely.
Did you know BLISS have information & a campaign about this?
Raising awareness of “preemie needs” in schools?
www.bliss.org.uk/parents/growing-up/starting-primary-school

Thesearmsofmine · 19/10/2021 18:35

I would, I follow a lady on Instagram who had her daughter repeat reception and it seems to have worked well for them.

PumpkinsandTea · 19/10/2021 18:35

My child was diagnosed at age 4! @DianaSoraya

HappyintheHills · 19/10/2021 18:37

Yes - he will have friends among the older kids. and be able to make more with his new class mates

Original poster
DianaSoraya · 19/10/2021 18:38

@pumpkinsandtea
Oh really? They told me he is way too young as the process is very long

OP posts:
Nearlytheretrees · 19/10/2021 18:38

I would go with the schools recommendation, if they feel it's for the best for him then I would take the advice

Sirzy · 19/10/2021 18:38

I would want a clear plan that shows it would work going forward and he would move to year 7 with his new cohort rather than ot being a primary school only thing.

The next consideration for me would be the impact of moving him away from his peers. Would that knock his confidence too much?

Would he be able to stay in his current cohort but do some work either with reception or more 1-1 stuff?

My gut says move him to reception but I don’t think it’s a simple decision. I do know someone who did the exact same though and her son is year6 now and thriving.

Original poster
DianaSoraya · 19/10/2021 18:39

I have a meeting on monday with the teacher to speak about the options. He has suffered ptsd from certain past situations and im just scared this will affect him again. Like i said hes come so far and i feel stuck inbetween letting him be happy or pulling him back and he ll be happier in the long run

OP posts:
Lockdownbear · 19/10/2021 18:41

Op are you saying if he was born on his due date he'd be reception?

If that's what you're saying take the advice. School wouldn't have a child repeat a year if they didn't think it was necessary. I'll quote out deputy head "we want children to get the very best from their education, not just struggle along"

crazycrofter · 19/10/2021 18:41

@DianaSoraya I have an August born who was eventually diagnosed with ADHD. I really wish we’d been able to hold him back. He’s in year 11 now and he’s going to be fine I think, but I think he’d have done better academically and behaviourally with an extra year.

Fetarabbit · 19/10/2021 18:42

It sounds like he's doing fantastic, but it's good your open to speaking to the school, I'd recommend writing a list of questions you have, as if you're anything like me you'll forget when you get in there! I would jump at the chance to be honest, it is an upheaval for him, but it is a great chance to lay some stronger foundations and I don't think they'd recommend it unless they thought he would benefit from it. I know it's hard to not take it personally, but it doesn't mean he's behind, he is very young for his year.

8Sense8 · 19/10/2021 18:44

I have two late summer children. Your ds will have so many more advantages if he remains for another year. He will be in with more of a chance with school sports teams (outside school is based on birth year). He will have more time to develop his fine motor skills (x rays of 5 yr olds hands show how undeveloped their little bones are). He will be able to spend another year playing. I would have jumped at the chance for mine. I know that it seems sad that he will not see his friends as much. But these friendships move on so fast at this age. And it's so much easier to do it now than later. Right now, children will just accept and forget.

Original poster
DianaSoraya · 19/10/2021 18:44

@Lockdownbear

Op are you saying if he was born on his due date he'd be reception?

If that's what you're saying take the advice. School wouldn't have a child repeat a year if they didn't think it was necessary. I'll quote out deputy head "we want children to get the very best from their education, not just struggle along"

He was supposed to be born november
OP posts:
Original poster
DianaSoraya · 19/10/2021 18:45

I guess i will have to see what his teachers say and think about it carefully. If hes happy im happy. I know he ll make friends anywhere he goes, its just hard seeing him being pulled back for not keeping up

OP posts:
whattodo2019 · 19/10/2021 18:47

Yes 100%.

Blueroses99 · 19/10/2021 18:47

I would agree with the teachers. My DD was due in August but born in April so she is in the same school year that she would have been in anyway but had she crossed a school year, I would have asked for her to be in the corrected year group.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 19/10/2021 18:48

I think it sounds like a great idea but I’d want complete confirmation from the school and education authority that he will remain in his new school year throughout his school career and that it won’t be a problem in any way once he’s of secondary school age.

Namechange600 · 19/10/2021 18:54

Jump at the chance. Writing as parent of a august born due September child who has struggled through primary and now looking at sending a struggling child to secondary, with a long list of sen.

Sirzy · 19/10/2021 18:56

@DianaSoraya

I guess i will have to see what his teachers say and think about it carefully. If hes happy im happy. I know he ll make friends anywhere he goes, its just hard seeing him being pulled back for not keeping up
Don’t think of it as being pulled back for not keeping up, but as a chance for him to be able to better meet his full potential.

Good luck for the meeting

Scarydinosaurs · 19/10/2021 19:00

Yes absolutely 100% this would be great for him.

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