We have twins that started reception a month after their fifth birthday (30 July), ie we deferred a year and they are ‘out of cohort’. Parents are able to decide to do this where we live, Hertfordshire, and we did so for a number of reasons (health, educational, social).
We are in the process of moving to Buckinghamshire and intend to apply to grammar schools.
We have read the government, Bucks council and schools guidance in detail. We are trying to get some clarity on the process and assurance that they will not have to miss a year's school.
My questions are:
a) Does anyone know how the process at Bucks grammar schools works in practice for children that have been out of cohort? Eg do we have to apply in year 5, not year 6?
b) The tone of the national and local guidance (see links below) is somewhat different. Former seems to say that it isn't in the child's interest to miss a year's school but Bucks guidance is much more circumspect, saying that a range of factors will be taken into account, of which only one is the parents' views.
Does anyone know what kind of a case we need to make and the evidence we should provide? To me it is simply common sense that children shouldn't have to miss a year's school.
c) Has anyone had experience with this process in Bucks, successful or otherwise?
Thanks in advance!
National government guidance
www.gov.uk/government/publications/summer-born-children-school-admission/admission-of-summer-born-children-advice-for-local-authorities-and-school-admission-authorities#transition-to-junior-middle-or-secondary-school
Buckinghamshire Council guidance
https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/schools-index/school-admissions/school-admissions-guides-policies-and-statistics/guide-to-delaying-a-school-start-date/beyond-the-reception-year/