Must be in full time education over age of 5?

[Walter4]

Was having a conversation with school about DS going into reception in sept, is it correct that he needs to be in full time education over the age of 5 regardless of any special needs? I have my doubts that he would cope with this or that it would be in his best interest. He does not have a statement but has a diagnosis ASD/PDA. I would hope to gradually increase his attendance to to what he could cope with. Don't think school are keen on doing this....
Any wise MNMs know whether I'm obliged to send him?

Could you home educate for a while?

It is the legal position, but I would call the local education office to see if any advice is available.

Ponya, I don't want to home educate as my son wants to be in school, was just hoping to get him in gradually.
Sneeze, I have read other people doing it, not sure how, as far as I can see its an obligation, thanks will call the education office and check.

You might be in a stronger position with a statement - had you thought about going down that route?

He doesn't have to be in school full time until the term after he's 5, so it depends on when his birthday is. If it's after September, that gives you at least a term to do a more staggered start.

Thanks everyone, to be honest I doubt he will cope with full time school in September. He has asd/PDA and hypermobility syndrome and they all actually impact on each other! He tires easily and this lessens his tolerance ( PDA behaviour) and his anxiety tires him! I feel if he's forced into full time his behaviour will become very difficult and school may not tolerate this, at the moment he's coping at school ( just) doing one day and 4 mornings , after school he's really difficult.

Flexi schooling?
It's down to the head afaik, but worth asking?
I wish I had sine it for my ds1 (summer born)

The govt issued some guidance last week which seemed to suggest flexi schooling was now unlawful. There has been a backlash as to whether its a cock up in the guidance or a change without consultation. Is a home ed charity education otherwise worth looking at. Or you can completely HE. Otherwise has to be full time ed for term after 5 but this does not have to be in a school. Ds has a statement of sen for 35 hours a week 48 weeks a year ABA home programme of which 1/3 is spent in school term time. He started 3 half days in reception. Now doing 6 half days year 1. But he still has FT education as does 22 hours of 1:1 therapy out of school. So there are options but usually require a tribunal to get LA to fund something outside norm. And usually require you to set up and fund the home programme to start with to prove its more effective than school. I also know some children whose parents take them out of school a day a week and they go to a private dyslexia consultant. Another option is to schedule the day to include periods when taken out of class to do quiet 1:1 work / OT etc