Can I defer for one term in reception?

[cockles]

I want to defer ds (who is 5 in Dec) to the Jan term so he has 2 instead of 3 terms in reception. (I have to work abroad that first term)Our London authority has entries in both Sept and Jan but of course his normal entry would be Sept. It's Hackney btw. The school is oversubscribed. What are our chances, do you think?

I don't think the school has to leagally hold the place open for you, if you choose to defer til January. The LEA will still have an obligation to place your child in a school at that time, but it does not have to be the one of your choosing especially if it is oversubscribed.

But yes, you can leaglly defer until the term after your child turns 5 - after that time they must be in education, be that school or home ed.

I think they do... phone your LEA to check....my mother is a head and she had to hold a place open for 2 terms for a summer born child...

but I wonder because he is going to already be five in the term he starts....I would phone the LEA

THe LEA say it's down to the school - though previously they said it was definitely ok - confused. Thanks both of you

No I don't think you can defer because your DC will be 5 in the autumn term. If your DC had a birthday from January onwards you would be able to defer the start to January.

However as you are returning from abroad the school/LEA may be able to make an exception. I think you would have to contact them to find out.

As far as I know, as long as you have formally accepted the place, you can then let the school know that your ds will not be starting school unil the term after they are 5 (in your case, the Spring Term).

It is not down to the school.

I think Littlefish is right. You can defer, while holding the place, to the term after your ds is 5, which would be the January term.