DS1 will be put back two years in school next automn!

[QuintessentialShadow]

After year 1, my boy is going to have to start again from Reception level.

Has any one else moved countries and found that their children are moved back a year group or two because children start school so early in The Uk?

I am going to have to move back to Norway, and after speaking to the headmistress at my sons new school, he will have to start again at reception level, as children start school when they are six years old here.

I said he might be very bored, as he knows the alphabet, he is good at spelling, good at writing, reading and doing maths. Head mistress said that he would obviously have an academic head start, and it would be the teahing staffs challenge to keep him stimulated, but because he is not fluent in norwegian it will be beneficial to him. Further, they emphasise the social aspect of him starting school with children his own age. I am not sure if I should pressure for him to start year 1 instead. Especially as we may return to England in a few years, he will be academically disadvantaged and wont be able to join his own age group as they will be at much higher level. Any thoughs?

Have you though about extra tuition at home to keep him up to date and stimulated.

I think he will be better doing as the headmistress suggests and starting from scratch.Maily because of the language barrier.
YOu could do some home learning if he needs to catch up when he returns to UK.

I thought children who start later catch up within a few years?

Would the alternative be for him to be with children who are two years older? Because if so, he is far better being with his own age group, even if they are academically 'behind' him.

if he isn't fluent in Norwegian, then perhaps going back a bit might actually be helpful? Maybe they will all be learning to write whatever the Norwegian is for 'c a t' together?

We will speak English at home once we are in Norway and ensure he keeps up the language. But I will prepare him by talking a lot in Norwegian prior to moving, let him watch Norwegian films and listen to Norwegian music. I think I will have to buy some books for some home education to keep him upto date. Just not sure where to start.

I think this is entirely entirely wrong. My two cousins moved to a new school at the ages of 5 & 6 from the English system to the French system. Neither of them could speak a word of french. They were both fluent within one term. They learn languages at a truly amazing rate so young.

He wouldn't be behind when you get back, proably the opposite -My 2 DN's went through kindergarten in germany and returned when they were 7+8 and are miles ahead still 2 years later

He would be due to start in Year 2 in England. I would not ask for him to start with 2 year older children in Year 2 here. But thought if I could get him up to speed on the language maybe he could start Year 1? I spoke to a couple who lives on the street we are planning to move to, and class division go in November, so a girl (our soon to be neighbour) who was six in November this year, is already in Reception. My son will be six in April, and could then possibly start Year 1 together with her.

But maybe he will never catch up on the reading and writing if he doesnt start from scratch? I just think he will be bored stiff spending Reception again tracing letters....

My son only spoke Norwegian till he was 3, then he made a conscious choice to forget it and only speak English. He is perfectly able to communicate with my parents who does not speak a word English, he just isnt fluent.

I mean, forget it until he learnt English, when he was fluent in English he started talking Norwegian again. Just not fluently, as some was forgotten. Grammar, etc.