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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Deferring entry into reception

13 replies

Bathilda · 08/01/2009 15:02

I'm new to this site so please be gentle with me

I live in The Netherlands and will probably be moving back to England in the next few months. I have two sons - both August babies - and DS1 is 2 years old.

Am I right in thinking that it would be impossible to defer entry into the reception class at primary school for a year for DS1? He'd end up going straight into Year 1, wouldn't he?

DS1 was a late talker and I have always been uneasy with the idea of him being sent to school so very young. He might be fine starting so soon after his 4th birthday, but I would much prefer the option of deferring entry for a year if I felt it would be helpful, and it was available.

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RedOnHerHead · 08/01/2009 15:10

i was an august baby and started school only a few weeks after my 4th birthday and I was fine. out of an average class size of about 20 / 25 there will be other children the same age.

My concern would be as your child gets older - He may be picked on for being held back.

CioccolataCalda · 08/01/2009 15:12

I deferred entry for my DS (August born) and he started in year one with his own age group. He took some time to catch up but is now ahead of some of the other Aug babies who started in reception.
You have to be strong and do what YOU think is right. I knew that my DS was immature and kept him at nursery.

LIZS · 08/01/2009 15:15

Increasing that option isn't available in the state system, the few LEA's that do are reviewing whether to no longer allow it purely out of parental choice. I wouldn't advocate missing out Recpetion either tbh.

RedOnHerHead · 08/01/2009 15:15

Right - i completely lost the plot - i thought you meant keeping him back a year for his entire school life - if its just for the 1st year then it cant make that much difference can it?

Original poster

Bathilda · 08/01/2009 15:25

To clarify, I'm investigating the possibility of him starting the reception class a year later - and not missing it out altogether and going straight into Year 1. Obviously there are pros and cons to all options and I may never know if I have done the right thing.

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Original poster

Bathilda · 08/01/2009 15:28

LIZS - So there are some LEAs that do allow it? Is there a list of which ones anywhere?

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MrsBadger · 08/01/2009 15:28

in most areas in the UK deferring isn;t possible and entry would be straight into y1 as you describe.

if you have the funds the independent sector may me more flexible, but if he continues to be 'a year behind' you may run into trouble if you ever want to swtich back to state.

LIZS · 08/01/2009 15:29

Leeds/Bradford is one apparently but they may withdraw it before you ds is old enough. Not sure if any others regualrly allow it.

ErnestTheBavarian · 08/01/2009 15:37

bathilda, I've just started a thread, similar topic in education.

I think it varies a lot between LEAs. You need to email the LEA int which you'll be moving and ask them.

My ds has gone into the year younger for many reasons )late school start, poor grasp of english, late August birthday) I have had a very mixed response, from schools saying absolutely no problem, to others saying no way. The inflexibility is so stressful and depressing.

Sycamoretree · 08/01/2009 15:55

Both my DC's are August born. DD is currently in state pre-school. She will have the option to defer her entry into reception until January of 2010. It's not a whole year, but it's a bit of leeway that I'm glad to have the option of. I don't actually think I'll use it as she is a mature kid and started with her first words at 9 months etc etc.

DS may be different though. He's 16 months and his language is really still pretty non-existent and, although it's ridiculous to say of a one year old, he doesn't seem as self-possessed as DD, though he is brilliant and delightful in other ways.

Interestingly, another August born girl has JUST started at DD's pre-school. Her parents had deferred her start at nursery as they felt she was a bit too young to start in September.

It's a shame there isn't the same choice for all. I think some Aug babies need it and some don't, but the option ought to be provided regardless.

Katiestar · 09/01/2009 15:48

At the school we used to go to it was quite common to receive 5 and even 6 yr olds from overseas who hadn't done any school before.They were always taken into reception and then missed out Yr 1 altogether.
I might be wrong but i am sure there is some case on thgis where the LEA were forced to keep a place open for a child who wanted to defer entry a year.
A better option though may be to start them off part time so that they won't have to jump any year groups.

lingle · 09/01/2009 19:17

As well as the Leeds/Bradford "zone of sanity" there is Scotland and a few LEAs who just don't "do" reception (not sure which ones) at all and start them at 5.

Do you know where you're moving to?

My speech therapist tells me that deferment "can be done" in North Yorks also - but you might have to play the speech card.

If you want to protest, there is a consultation period on Jim Rose's report ending in February, let me know if you want a link.

You'll also find there is woeful ignorance amongst English parent about how bizarre and unusual the English system is. I'm deferring for a year and have to smile sweetly at people who say they "didn't hold back Jonny because he's bright".

PavlovtheCat · 09/01/2009 19:23

Some schools do two intakes I believe - 1 in Sept, and then on in Jan. I am considering this with DD, as I really do not want her to go to school at just over 4. It is much too young.

However, as I am aware it is almost impossible to defer reception, you would have to skip this and go straight to yr1, I am worried about DD missing out on the socialising of those she will start y1 with, who would all have got to know each other in reception. I am thinking that if she is able to go in Jan, at 4.5, it would be a bit better than just 4.

Maybe that is an option for you if you cannot defer reception? I also think you are able to do reduced hours in reception year? (someone else might tell me that is wrong)

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