Joining P1 in Jan rather than August

[Mama0ftw0]

Hello

Has anyone started there child in P1 in Jan rather than the August?

I have asked similar before. I have a slight problem which is impacting this decision. Many thanks.

I don't think that would be allowed to be honest. Probably better to wait until August and start then. If you are moving from another country then it's a different matter but I still think the advice might be wait til August. My grandson is in P1 and although it's play based, reading groups begin next week. He has done a load of work on sounds and numeracy already. Perhaps contact your LA and find out what their policy is

Many thanks @LadyMacbethssweetArabianhand

I just thought that I would ask the question. We are moving from somewhere else in England to Scotland and it means my child would just do 3 weeks then it would be time for the Christmas break. Therefore, we were going to ask if they could join P1 in the January.

I actually think joining in December might be a lovely way to get them used to the class/school. There will probably be a nativity and carols etc. Does your school have a space?

It would be fine, but not ideal. You would not get the same nice welcome to P1- no photos etc, no staggered start, you'll be flung in at the deep end, but children are resilient and settle quickly.

The problem is that (in usual circumstances) the place cannot be held from August- January. Are you the poster with a partner in the military? I'm not sure if that comes under some extraordinary circumstance or not tbh.

It will be absolutely fine. Agree with another poster that joining just before Christmas would be lovely.

There is no staggered start so your DC would be coming in half way through P1.
Will they have already been in school in England? If so then it will be fine as they will have started to learn sounds, letters etc. If not then they will definitely have missed quite a bit.

Are you the military family? Just move in December and apply to start in January, the school won't question why DC has missed 3 weeks in December

Thanks all very much.
Yes @BloodyRoasting it got pushed back.

They have been to pre school and Reception however as mentioned we move and it turns out that there will be around 2-3 week left before the school finishes for Christmas. A couple have space for Jan as many families come and go so I think we have a couple to look at.
The other option is I stay in England with the children and finish the whole of the academic here and we join partner next summer for start of P2.

I'd say as a teacher starting in Dec would be lots of fun and Jan would be a bit more of a slog. Scottish Januaries are dark and dreary if you're coming up from quite far south.

It must be a hard decision OP. Lots to consider.

@RyTrerry yes we are.
thank you for all of this really helps.

thanks everyone.
Phonics, numbers, Reading and Writing etc all done as obviously in England my child is Year one age but when we come up will go in P1 which is like Reception in England.

I think yes will get in touch to start for Jan. Thank you.

@BloodyRoasting thank you. Yes I could consider those 2 3 week of Dec.

I was just worried about the making friends part but I guess age 5 still young so should be okay.

If I remember correctly you're moving to Lossiemouth. The schools there will be very familiar with military families moving to the area and the challenges associated. I'd agree that a couple of weeks of P1 at that time of year will be fun and a good way to establish some connections. There are bound to be other military families in whichever school your child goes to.

My son moved mid p2 and was fine lots of friends and before Christmas they’ll get caught up in excitement of Christmas parties etc likely a more relaxed start for them than in Jan? And as someone else said lossie is military so many kids moving in and out so they’ll be used to settling kids in, my mum was an raf child and my grandad moved north to work at lossie but lived in Nairn instead and traveled. Good luck with your move

Phonics, numbers, Reading and Writing etc all done as obviously in England my child is Year one age but when we come up will go in P1 which is like Reception in England

In Scotland, 3-5 Early Years have a curriculum to follow, and although P1 is the first year of school in Scotland it isn't at a Reception level.

I agree that starting for the Christmas hype would be a lovely transition.

@treadingonlego is P1 Englands year one level?

Sorry, I was told it is similar to Reception in England.

At the moment my child is in Year one and will move to P1 in Dec/Jan

Thank you everyone. Really helped.

Does anyone know of the schools in Elgin and Lossie?

sorry we have been in touch with a few and they all have spaces.

many thanks.

Lossie is Hythehill Primary School and Geradine that have places.
a couple in Elgin have places.

If you are moving then it may be worth starting in December to give you time to find your feet.

I thought you meant instead of August.

I think it would be absolutely fine. Not unusual to have kids joining at this point - there were 2 Jan starters in my daughter’s P1 last year. One family new to the area and another moved from out of catchment. Good luck with the move OP!

P1 is very similar to Reception. In any case your son will be well ahead academically if he’s in Y1 now. The school I work at gets new starters at all
points in the year and all find their feet quickly. I hope the move all goes well OP.

Do you know your address yet? I don't know anything about Moray schools, sorry, but generally in Scotland the vast majority of children go to their catchment primary. We don't really choose state schools in the way they do in England (unless choosing denominational- Catholic- school, but even then there will be a catchment one assigned to the address). The advantage of that is all their school mates will live in a similar area, and being in the catchment school I think would be the easiest way to settle into the community.

P1 is not equivalent to reception in England, the children are older for a start.

It is possible to apply for an out of catchment school your just not guaranteed a place and generally there has to be a reason. My son attends an out of catchment school for childcare reasons.

As for the comparison between the 2 being English with lots of nieces and nephews who are in the English system and DS1 in the Scottish system I would say P1 is roughly towards the mid/end of reception where they are focusing on key elements.
Given your son is in year 1 in the English system he will have no problems with P1 and will probably be the top end given most P1s started letters and writing around mid September! The first term is about assessing and getting roughly up to speed.

DS is P1 and his class lessons before the holiday were counting to 20 and organising the numbers correctly - we have to keep telling him that everyone needs the same level and to practice his writing if he finishes a task early.