Can my daughter start in January rather than September?

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Hi. I’ve applied for a reception place for my daughter. The academic year starts in September 2020 but can I ask the school to hold her place for her to start January 2021?

She turns five in early November if that makes a difference.

Thanks for reading.

You can although as one of the oldest it may not be to her advantage socially.

What’s the reason for the delay? Unless it’s unavoidable, I really wouldn’t do this. Friendships are best formed when everyone’s new.

Yes she can but she may find it harder as friendships have been made and routines established.

She is one of the oldest children in the year and you need to weigh up the pros and cons.

You need to have a discussion with the school once you have been allocated a place and they will hold the place for you. If you just don't turn up to school and don't inform them they offer it on.

If your child is on roll with a school, you do not have a right to do this. But you can ask the school.

It's not a good idea though.

The first term of any school year is vital for forming social and friendship groups. This relationship-forming term is especially important in reception year.

Thanks so much for the feedback. The only reason we would do this would be for unavoidable reasons (being abroad until
January as crown servants). If that happens she would be starting school in January as an in year applicant - just at a different school! So I’m really just trying to find out if it’s our right to ask / insist.

This is a very busy borough of London where apparently children are often coming and going. But obviously our preference is for her to start in September with everyone else.

Thanks again

If you are crown servants the rules may differ and the place be guaranteed.

You do have a right to do this.

You can use the place to where you are being posted as your home address and defer until January. This allows you to apply at the normal time despite being abroad.

Thanks again. Hopefully it will be a September start, but at least delaying until January is possible.

I don't think friendship groups made in Reception are in any way fixed even until the end of Reception year, and a good school will sort that out anyway (e.g. by giving her a buddy or creating a friendship club). You can ask the school what they would do to help her.

I agree that friendship groups are very malleable at that age and I doubt it will be a big problem long term but it might be an advantage to start in September just so that she's there while the children are all still new and getting lots of support e.g. reminders about where to hang up their coat and how to queue up for lunch etc. Kids change school all the time so it isn't like this is a major problem just might help her settle more quickly.

Legally you dont have to start until the term after they turn 5 so in your case yes Jan.
You would just need to inform them (it's not a request as it's law)

But
There are often whole class parties at the start of yr r you would miss.
Mainly they cover writing A-Z and phonics by oct half term then hlgive out books.
So by Jan you would be maybe
2x 7 books behind. (1/5 behind) and considering they do the assessments in May i think it's probably more like 1/4 books.
But obviously it probably cant be helped and your dc could already be at this level already.

We moved house when my son was in Reception and he started at his new school in January. It was fine. 2 other kids started in his class with him, due to not being happy with their first school.