Help - how do I know whether to delay my August born going to school??

[Rosebud1302]

I am so confused and worried about this. My son is August born and is therefore due to start school next year, just after his 4th birthday. This feels so young to me and I can't help but think about it. I thought I had decided to go ahead and apply but now I'm not sure. Am I doing the right thing sending him - how do I know whether he will be ready?! Are there certain signs of development I should look out for? I don't have any concerns academically as such as much as you can do with a 3 year old. But he has always been a sensitive, shy and quiet child and I get so upset thinking he might be "lost" in school if he goes too early.

Can anyone share any stories - positive or negative? Any advice would be greatly appreciated especially about what "signs" to look out for!!

There is a Facebook group called flexible school admissions for summer borns if you are on Facebook. There is loads of great factual information on there as well as parents' experiences. There is links to the legislation and templates to help you know what to do if you want to delay.

Under legislation children born from April can start the term after they turn 5 so legally you can do this. What you need to do is ask the school that you would like your child to start in reception rather than year 1. You also need approval from local authority pending on the type of school you apply for. There is guidance of how you can set a letter out re disadvantage of missing reception and importance of that year to try and get school and then local authority to agree. Different local authorities take different views so pending on where you live if may be easy/ more difficult for you to do this. The group is great though and I have a child born in July who will be starting a year later into reception class with agreement they will stay in that class cohort through the school.

For me it wasn't just about reception / year 1 but also the information about statistical impact through the school life.

Hope that helps. From what I've read very few regret starting that year later and quite a few parents regret starting their child when only just turned 4 xxx

Mind you, if yours is shy, he might benefit from going up with his cohort, rather than waiting a year, especially if he has a good friendship group.

We did it. DD turned 5 at end august 2021 and started reception 2weeks later.
No regrets.
She’s right where she should be and always fitted in better ability wise with the September/October/November born children, rather than the may/June/July.

With potentially 2 years until your child starts reception you could always ask nursery to encourage friendships with the children who’d be saying on next September.

I am in Ireland so we can choose and will be sending my April born daughter at 5. Honestly think that there is a big difference between children who are just 4 or 5 1/2, academically and socially older children do better, they are tiny for a short space of time. I am glad I have the option to choose

This makes for interesting reading.

Summer born kids statistically do not do as well in all areas.

This is my main take away from the paper:

3.4 Identification of Special Educational Needs
There is a clear gradient in the numbers of children identified as having special educational needs by month of birth, which is stronger at the earlier stages of education. At the end of Key Stage 1, August-born pupils are nearly 90% more likely to be identified with SEN than September-born pupils (not shown in chart). At the end of Key Stage 2, August-born pupils are 60% more likely to be identified with SEN than September-born pupils; this reduces to 25% more likely by the end of Key Stage 4 (Fig. 3.4a).23
Focusing on pupils with Statements of SEN (those with the greatest need), August-born pupils are almost 30% more likely than September-born pupils to have a statement at the end of Key Stage 2, rising to 40% more likely at the end of Key Stage 4 (Fig. 3.4a).2

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/182664/DFE-RR017.pdf

Make sure that you read the DfE Schools Admission Code 2021, in particular paragraph 2.18-20.
You will still need to apply for a place for September 21, which, if your application is successful, can be deferred.
Either your local authority or the school's governing body ( in the case of academies) will make a decision. Your application to defer must contain good information why you think this will benefit your child.
Another thing to remember is that the school can agree to keep your child back a year for their whole time at that school, but cannot guarantee that the secondary school will do the same. Also, your child can leave school at 16, so in theory could leave before the year in which they sit their gcse. And, they will need dispensation if wanting to join a football league with class mates, as they will be the wrong age ( potentially too old).
Lots to think about!

Wow thank you so much everyone. Amazingly helpful responses and insights. So much to think about, it's such a difficult choice. Just to clarify one thing - my son is in a nursery pre school, not one attached to a school. So he won't go up with friends so to speak. He also doesn't have any friends really as he prefers his own company and has only just started joining in with group time. Which is obviously my big worry about him not being socially or emotionally ready. Gosh these kids don't make it easy for us do they!!!

My dd's friends were both born on 31 august and now in yr 9 and thriving. I'd send your dc to school nursery and see how they get on. Teachers will give u feedback and address ur concerns. Then u can decide nearer the time for reception.