Summer born

[Hayleyc1984]

My son started reception in September. He turned 4 on the 26th of August, so a young one. We did have the option to hold him back a year, but we thought he was ready. We ate now regretting this decision. He has had quite a lot of time off with illness. He seems to pick up every bug going. He is also struggling He is in the bottom of his class. The school said we could hold him back if needed. At first I felt like this would effect him emotionally, as he has made friends. The school said he has made friends with a boy that misbehaves and that is not helping him. We now are really considering holding him back a year. We have actually spoke to him about it. Which I wasn't going to do, but he seems happy to go back to nursery. Which is the class room next door. He knows the children in nursery. Then he would stay fresh in September. Im just not sure he this is definitely the right decision.

I think it’s very hard to make the right decision here. I have an August born and the initial year or two were tricky for him (more socially than academically) however he then matured (and physically grew) very quickly. Now 13 and ahead of many of his peers.

However if both you and school think it could be a good idea then it might be the right thing. Do check about implications though
a. Will local high school accept children in y7 who officially should have joined the previous year b. If there is any chance he will do team sports or other activities can being a year behind affect him?

Im a primary teacher and mum to 2 summer borns.
As pp said, after a couple of years things do generally even out within the class. My dd is fine academically but really stands out maturity wise and I know ds will be the same.
Id talk to the school about their reasoning. Hes paired up with someone who messes around - those kids are in every class and there's nothing to stop your son pairing up with another.
Id also ask about a split timetable for a while - some time in nursery and some in Reception so that hes not totally separate from his peers.
Also ask to speak to the sendco. Is there support that can be put in place to help in Reception?
He is only 4. The primary curriculum is (unfortunately) very full on. He will get there.
Ultimately you have to make the decision but make sure you are aware of all future implications for keeping him back.

Goverment research is very clear that summer botn children have poorer outcomes throughout their time in education including at GCSE level.

There is a huge difference of expectations between reception and year 1 so he will probably struggle even more. I can’t see a reason why you wouldn’t put him into nursery to try reception again next year.

Gcses etc are tough. Mine (summer born) got exceeding on maths and reading on y6 sats but is so far only predicted 7 for english but achieving 5 at moment, and 6 for maths, but its all the other subjects which are 4-6 and having to make gcse choices at 13...

But i would say if they are a lot behind the correct yeargroup there maybe more going on say dyslexia or other sen

I have watched an August born child struggle through y1, y2 and currently struggling through y3. In your situation, I think I would move him to nursery now and start a fresh in reception in September. He will be more confident, being one of the older children and will hopefully fly!

Also, Y1 is full on - very intense and not usually play-based, so if you think he would struggle with that in September, it would definitely be best to repeat reception.

For this particular DS, I would go back to nursery as it’s been offered. Nothing to lose really.

Just to add though, not all summer borns struggle or find school too much for them. My DD1 is August and she was more mature and capable than many 10 months older. Several of her summer born friends did extraordinarily well and went to selective schools. They did brilliantly at GCSE and then got places at Oxbridge. As did she. Every child is different but I do think some boys are more likely to struggle but my dh is late August and he certainly didn’t. I think some teachers expect dc to be behind and stay behind and treat them differently.

I would have loved to have had this option, especially with DC2. They are also summer born and have always been kind of immature for their age. Tbey had lots and lots of struggles in secondary school, which, at about age 19, we realised were due to undiagnosed dyslexia and ADHD.

DC1 is also summer born but neutrotpical and super intelligent (they have a first in masters science subject from one of the very top universities). They struggled for the first 2 or 3 years of primary school. It was only in about year 6 that their very high intelligence became clear to the school because they had caught up by then and were very rapidly moving from middle-ish attainment to very high attainment.

I would embrace it ... there is a huge advantage to being one of the older ones in the class. I've seen too many suffer for being summer babes and not ready, especially boys... so so sad to see them sstruggling through primary rather than enjoying.

There is no downside... especially since he himself is keen

Y1 is much harder than reception. There’s little play and he’ll be expected to sit down a lot of the day. As he’s struggling with Reception, I wouldn’t hesitate to take up the offer or repeating and hoping that he’s more ready in September. He may still pick a friend who misbehaves but hopefully he will be more ready.

@loveyouradvice Some dc still don’t thrive after being a year delayed though. It is not a cure all. Some dc just don’t like school.

I think it can be a good thing to let children have more time to mature. DD stayed back an extra year in nursery (with the full support of the school) and it has made such a difference all the way though to secondary - where she is now thriving.

Check out the Facebook group ‘ Flexible Admission for summer borns’ which will have advice for how things work in your area.

To be honest we have moved between two local authorities where delayed admission is not considered easy or usual and it’s been fine - at transitions and in moving area - but the Facebook group can advice on how it works locally to you