Deferring school place

[lisa270988]

Hi
I have decided to defer my little ones school place he started a few weeks ago but isn't get on very well so I am thinking of pulling him out and waiting till January when he is 5 years old? Has anyone else done this

I wouldn’t want to start him again half way through the year as he will miss out a lot of phonics and maths. The school may not have place in January.

If op is deferring within year the space is retained for her dc. Have you asked school for a reduced timetable or flexi schooling. Most do Numeracy and Literacy sessions in the morning and more relaxed classes in the afternoons. What is he finding difficult and what has the teacher suggested to overcome it.

I would think it would be more upsetting for him leaving and starting again. He is one of the older ones. Maybe see if he could do half days for a while. He will be missing out of a lot of learning and fun.

Unless you are not in the UK - starting half way through the year is a very bad idea.. he will be way behind and joining students who have had months more practice and settling than him.

Deferring for a whole year and starting fresh next year isn't a bad option, if he is really struggling.

Can you say more about him not getting on very well? I mean, the specific issues, what the school has said etc?

I would only do this as a last resort, as I think leaving and coming back mid year, when everyone else is settled knows what’s going on, plus they’ll have had a term of phonics and maths, will be harder for him. We moved house during my DD’s reception year, and it was hard for her to resettle at the new school, and that was with an immediate move and not missing out on the first term of learning (which I appreciate is not identical school to school but I imagine pretty close in terms of the phonics and numeracy).

It's a very large school and he is finding it hard at Playtimes ect with all children out together! I am looking at smaller schools where there are is only 1 class oer year so 30 a year rather then 90! Where he is now

It's a very large school and he is finding it hard at Playtimes ect with all children out together! I am looking at smaller schools where there are is only 1 class oer year so 30 a year rather then 90! Where he is now

It's a very large school and he is finding it hard at Playtimes ect with all children out together! I am looking at smaller schools where there are is only 1 class oer year so 30 a year rather then 90! Where he is now

Yeah he is 5 in December its a very large school 90 to a year group I am looking at smaller schools

If he is CSA inJanuary then starting Reception in September 2027 could be hard to agree.

I didn’t know that. Thanks

Talk to the school now about him finding play times difficult and ask them what they can offer to help. Don't just pull him out of school, it will be the same situation in January.

My own children went to a 3 class entry school but their playtimes were at different times as they couldn't fit 630 children in the playground at once. My son found it overwhelming in reception to be out with just 90 children but there were different areas within the playground where children could play, it wasn't just one massive open space.

Please talk to the school. Your child will not be alone in feeling like this.

Where in the UK are you? In Scotland you can defer December born children with no issue. Not sure about elsewhere?

This wouldn't be a full year deferment which I think is what some other posters are confusing with your plan. As he is not compulsory school age until January (term after a child turns 5) then you don't have to send him to school until then. But taking him out and hoping there's a place in January at a smaller school maybe more unsettling. Could you apply for an In Year Transfer now? Look at the schools with a lower PAN and apply to move him if and when a place comes up. If you withdraw him without a place now the risk is that the smaller schools might be full in Reception come January and you'll either have to send him back to his old school or home educate.

In the meantime I'd talk to his current school about your concerns and see what they can suggest

I wouldn't think the reception children are out with the entire school. It might just be a lot for him if it is 90 though.

I would think about half days - take him in the morning as this is when they do phonics and maths.

@@lisa270988 He should not be out with older dc. There should be an Early Years play area. They should be supervised at playtime so have you told the school about how he feels at playtime? This is the first thing to do and then they can be proactive in helping him navigate play.

It might be a bit overwhelming now but single class entry can have real issues for him later. Eg - sports. Can they get a team to do any sports? Music? How much can a small school do? The biggest issue - friendships. He might have very few to choose from if it’s a girl heavy class. There are real risks with small schools in terms of falling rolls. They have fewer teachers and often less specialisms within the staff. I’d try speaking to his teacher before doing anything disruptive.

And you think that will be any better in January when all the other kids have made friends and got used to the routine and yours hasn’t. He has been there 3 weeks! Give him a chance!

Yes and he has been knocked over in the playground 4 times already and the response is got from the school is he is just getting use to it

I doubt he is the only one overwhelmed at breaktime though. There will be a dedicated EY area with a quiet bench near the staff supervising. Unlikely to be the Reception teacher supervising so you may need to raise it again.

And you think that will wildly change in January? Like he will suddenly develop the ability to remain on his feet because his passport now says he is 5 rather than 4 🤣🤣🤣

No but I will change him to a smaller school the one I'm looking at only has 30 to a year! And tgey do things differently in the playground ect

@lisa270988They might still have other boisterous dc! Who told you he’s been knocked over? Have you heard about anything good? Or just negatives?

The teacher said he was knocked over it was in the accident report to

How about just sending him in the mornings for now, or keeping him home on Fridays? While he's 4 you can choose to send part time.

Does the other school have space and no waiting list? If so he could move sooner rather than later, as they cannot hold the place for him. If not he would go on a waiting list and with a 30 intake chances a child will leave are limited.