holding back a child

[melissakhan]

Hello,
we are an international family (American, previously residing in Denmark) which has just re-located to Kingston-Upon-Thames. In registering my children to school, I was informed that my son born in the end of August 2003 will have to attend secondary school (He's just completed, before we've moved, the equivalent of UK year 5). I (as well as his previous teachers, and support teachers) feel he would benefit greatly by completing year 6 (he has speech and reading difficulties)...as it is I'm being told it is not possible, and he will have to go with his age group (of which he is only 2 weeks inside the cut off to be in that group). I feel secondary school is quite a big step both emotionally and academically...which he has not had that final year of primary to prep for. nor is ready for. Is there anyone who may have advice or a similar experience they can share? I've verified, and the government has no such policy prohibiting my son to be held back, yet I'm being told it is impossible...yes, he will be 11 on August 22...but so will children born Sept. 2...so to say that he will be put with his 'Age group' by going into year 7 for me is absurd....especially since his speech/language therapist and class teacher from his previous school abroad attest that his correct emotional/developmental level is to be entering year 6. Please If anyone has any advice or help I would be very grateful. I am only trying to do what is best for my son.

Melissa

Unfortunately this is true. Well for state schools anyway. Could you afford private? They can be more accommodating.

Someone has to be he youngest and I'm sorry that in is situation it is your son but I don't think there will be anything you can do about it.

If you are looking at state schools it will be very difficult to convince them to put him into Year 6. Independent maybe. I wouldn't assume he would be "behind" though , just perhaps have covered a different syllabus , but year 7 is all about establishing what they know and filling gaps as there will be a wide ability range.

There is no law, as such, that says he can't, but as you are finding it is incredibly difficult to do. Local Education Authorities generally require children to be significantly delayed - several years - in their attainment and ability to allow this. It's very very unlikely you will persuade them I'm afraid.

Independent (fee paying) schools have more flexibility if that is an option.

He is unlikely to be as far behind as you fear though - there will be a wide range of attainment going into Yr 7, and secondaries are used to children from a range of settings.

Melissa, you had better look for an educational psychologist who can make an assessment of your son and write a report supporting your case. Or find a private school, if you can afford it. However, for boys he will have to go through the whole entrance exam procedure for secondary school.