Born on 30th August - Can I Defer School by a Year?

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DD2 was born on 30th August, which means she'll have to start school a few days after she turns four. There's been a lot of publicity recently about summer babies not doing as well at school as their older classmates, which is a worry, but my main concern is she'll just be too young from every point of view. I just rang the school and they said we can't defer (or at least whoever answered the phone had never heard of it) but a primary school teacher friend told me is should be possible. Does anyone have any info on this please?

I know it's early to start fretting about this - she's not 6 months old yet! - but just getting sorted for DD1 and nursery so it's on my mind!

My dd has a late August birthday and she started school in September. I did think about keeping her back a year but she went to a pre-school attached to the school and she made lots of friends so it would mean that she would be still be in pre-school whilist her friends were at school and its true that she would just miss reception and and go straight into year 1. She is now in Year 1, Reception is lovely and I wouldnt recommend missing this year as it is a very gentle introduction into school life. She is now half way through Year 1 and I do think she is still quite clearly the youngest in the class, she also doesnt have much confidence and think this is also an issue.
DD does go to a village school, 13 in her class and she has known all 12 children from the age of 3, might of felt differently if she was in a class of 30.

Move to scotland, they start school later here!

Your dd2 would start Primary 1 in August just before she turns five. Sorted!

You could even choose for her to start the next August if you wish, so she could start Primary 1 and almost 6 years old!

Scotland is so sorted on so many issues. I would move to Scotland if I could!

my ds has a late august birthday. I initally thought that way that you do.

But by the time he was 4 he was sooo ready for school. He was finding preschool boring and was emotionally ready for school.

I am glad that he did go into reception. The amount of stuff that he learnt in reception (reading, keywords ect) had he started in year 1 at 5 yrs old he would now be really behind.

Thanks Emily05, it's good to hear success stories! glad your lo is doing well. Hope dd2 is as ready when the time comes.

My DD was 4 and a month when she started reception. She was ready to go and the fact she had to do mornings only uintil after Christmas was frustrating for both of us. Her because she is extremely bright and just wanted to get on with it, and me because 3 school runs a day was very limiting.

She is now full time and doing very well.

I could have defered her until January but I find that lots of children have made friends and she would have missed out on lots of things. She also would have had 5 days of lunch and then home before going full time so less of a build up.

Yes you can defer (she doesn't have to start school until the term after she is 5, ie the Sept a year after she would expect to start) but in most schools, unless there is an SEN issue, they will then make her start in Yr 1, in other words missing out reception, which is a big mistake IMo. They learn soooo much, make friendship groups etc.

I am sure she will be totally fine. LOL just noticed her age now!

I help in a summer babies FS2 class (oldest is April so not even 5 yet) and they are fine. In fact I would say one of the brightest and most settled children in the class is an aug b/day (not that that proves anything but still)

Hi
My son started school this year his dob is mid august. He has found school tiring initially, but he is my second child and is very happy to be doing the same as his sibling. He has great social skills and seems to be taking it in his stride. I understand your worries that your child may not do as well being the youngest in the class. I have seen other children in my other childs class (summer born)all do exceptionaly well. I think you should not worry, my son is very happy at school.

Hi
My daughter has the same birthday except she's now 5, so she's now in year one. She's my first born and I think that makes a big difference, the fact that your little un is the second should make things much easier. Her personality will also make a big difference. My 5 year old is very shy and did struggle at first but even so, I still wouldn't have deferred because she couldn't start in reception. Try not to worry, an older sibling helps a lot

Starting school is still a long way away for your DD. By the time she's (just) 4 she may well be more than ready for school.

DD's birthday is 28 August so I felt very much the same as you. ('A few days ago she was 3, how can she be expected to start school?' etc)
Like you, I considered keeping my PFB back or even home schooling her I was fretting so much about what might happen.

In the end she was absolutely fine - a little tired to start with but they all were - even those with September birthdays. Reception teachers are used to dealing with very young ones in their class - it happens every year. Just make sure you are happy with the school.

I did make the point of enrolling her in the lovely small school in the neighbouring village with a reception intake of just 14, as opposed to the big school in our village with a reception intake of 60!

Mine are 31st Aug, missed a whole extra year by 5 hours lol

They are fine, went to school with no problems and are doing really well

Lol, anyway, yuo may be ready for ehr to go then grin]

dd2 is August 27th and we only have a September intake, so she will start this September

and tbh, I wouldn't want to defer her to the January even if I could as she would then be the new girl and maybe everyone else would have formed friendship groups

(but hopefully we will have emigrated then to a country where they do not start until they are 6)

I havent read the whole thng here but just to add something
My ds is a 30 aug boy and I defered him until now as they only take them 1/2 days til the term which they are 5- Ie after easter, half days dont fit with work so he stayed at nursery. I saved up leave so he can start half days after half term for 6 weeks.
Today we went to school for a taster/settling in- busy school- 2 classes in reception, ds last to start school- he was a bit clingy for 15 mins then disappaered with boys in class and 'told me to go home now'- and can i go back tomorrow!
I dont think he was ready in sept but is so much more capable now and clearly ready.
I think you should judge your child when the time comes and they'll be fine whatever. they are much more hardy than we think

my friend defered her 30th of aug child but it was a private school!!!!

sorry she went in year below so instead of being youngest shes the oldest

My dd was 4 on 29th August & started school the next day.She was more than ready for it & loves it.She is ahead of all her older classmates in everything but writing,so she would have been very bored if I'd made her stay at preschool whilst all her friends went into Reception.

I wouldn't worry about it this early.The asdmission rules will probably be changed again half a dozen times before she is 4.