www.educationbradford.com/NR/rdonlyres/embc7svqwnzfp36f25viv6xsciibrgfd5ulzomcoyvkanojazlea57 5aqslu4bwy2yfczeom25qt4h/Summerbornchildrenstartingschool2.doc
The deadline for participating in the consultation is 27th February 2009.
I was amused by the last paragraph beginning "NB". I suspect Bradford was anticipating angry letters from lingle and wanted to head me off!!
Seriously is there anyone out there in Bradford who will respond to this? I know it is very very hard if you have a child who is only 2.4 to try to judge whether they (or, let's be honest - probably "he") will be ready for school in 2010. And ready for Year 1 in 2011.I knew my child would not be ready when he was only 2.4 but my position was so unusual - he was the second of my children to be a late talker and I'd seen how ambitious the curriculum was for reception and Year 1. But please please please if you have a child aged between 2.4 and 2.8 in Bradford (or even if you just care about these things) read the Institute of Financial Studies' report "When you are born matters" and then bear in mind that the benefits described in Jim Rose's report are NOT the benefits of starting at 4.0 as opposed to 5.0 in reception, but rather the benefits of starting at 4.0 as opposed to 4.4 in January or 4.7 in April (missing two terms of reception and therefore having to catch up).
I know it is very hard for people to understand how important this is. I believe that my decision to turn up at Bradford's executive meeting last March, and therefore influence them in deciding to retain the deferment right for another year, was the single most important decision I have ever made as a mother. I've opted to defer and my child will start reception at 5.0, not 4.0. If you think this even potentially could be you in a year's time, then please please act. There is a time to "go with the flow". And there is a time not to - to be your child's advocate. Someone has to be the youngest yes - but less mature children need more options. I hope someone will respond and to say you want to retain the choices we have in Bradford.
Let me know if you want any further info.
I posted this in education first of all where only one mumsnetter noticed it. The problem is that the people who would like to read this post are the ones for whom school seems terribly far away so they don't read the education board....if no joy here I'll try behaviour and development.
Regards,
lingle