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Original poster

Statutory school age?

27 replies

Graciefer · 25/07/2007 16:23

I wondered if anyone knows the legal requirement for schools/LEA's in regard to statutory school age or if they could point me in the direction of a website that will state this.

The reason I ask is that DS is 4.5 years old (dob 14th Feb 2003), he currently attends a SLD-PMLD school 3 full days a week.

I was under the impression that when he returned to school in September that he would be going full time (5 days a week).

However I found out today in his school/home book that this isn't the case, I quote "Full time is - for the moment a way away - since going by his date of birth he is still being covered by his present arrangements".

Obviously I am desperately disappointed about this as I know that he will benefit so much from 5 days a week and also I my 2nd child is due on Sept 7th, so it would have also made life a lot easier.

If anyone can shed any light on this I would be very grateful, I have tried phoning several people from the LEA but they have been absolutely useless.

Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
Original poster
Graciefer · 25/07/2007 16:26

When do children normally start school in Plymouth?

Children born between 1 September 2002 and 31 August 2003 may start at most primary schools in Plymouth in September 2007.

A few schools admit children on two dates:

September 2007 (for those born between 1 September 2002 and 28 February 2003)
January 2008 (for those born between 1 March 2003 and 31 August 2003)

---------

I found the above on my LEA's website, it seems to suggest DS should start in Sept 07, however because it says 'normally starts' I am unsure if this is a legal requirement on the schools behalf, if the parents require it.

Any suggestions?

OP posts:
dustystar · 25/07/2007 16:34

Your child is not leagally required to be in school until they are 5. However most LEAs and schools take children from the sept after there 4th birthday. Quite often the younger children will be part time until the Jan of the following year.

LIZS · 25/07/2007 16:35

Statutory school age in England is the term after they turn 5 but Reception entry (possibly initially on a part time basis) would be as described. tbh a split and/or part time intake can vary by school as much as by LEA.

dustystar · 25/07/2007 16:36

Not heard of a child entering reception on 3 days a week?

LIZS · 25/07/2007 16:41

No most I've come across would do mornigns or afternoon sessions but this could differ in case of a SN child. Would he continue at this same school or be moving?

Original poster
Graciefer · 25/07/2007 16:44

He is continuing at the same school.

He has been there since Sept 06, orginally they were putting him 5 days a week in Jan 07, but because of the class size and lack of resources (he has to have 1-1 constantly) this was postponed to Easter 06 and then postponed again until Sept 07.

Now we have been told it isn't happening and haven't been given a time when it will.

OP posts:
dustystar · 25/07/2007 16:45

Does he have a statement?

Original poster
Graciefer · 25/07/2007 16:45

I appreciate we have been lucky to get 3 full days from Sept 06 until now.

However it doesn't stop me being disappointed to find out on the last day of term that he isnt going to be starting full time in Sept iykwim.

OP posts:
Original poster
Graciefer · 25/07/2007 16:47

Yes he has a statement, his teacher highlighted in his annual review the absolute must of getting funding from the LEA for 1-1 support.

I asked in his home/school book today how that was getting on and if they needed me to do anything and they replied today that this is no closer to happening yet.

Unsure what the hold up is.

OP posts:
Original poster
Graciefer · 25/07/2007 16:48

Sorry that should of said Easter 07 in the earlier message.

OP posts:
dustystar · 25/07/2007 16:53

When is his annual review? You should be invited to this and you can provide wriiten evidence for any further support your child needs. i can't understand why the school have only just let you know

Original poster
Graciefer · 25/07/2007 16:58

His annual review with school was a few weeks ago and his statement review has just been sent in.

OP posts:
dustystar · 25/07/2007 17:23

Were you asked for a contribution?

Original poster
Graciefer · 25/07/2007 17:39

Yes we contributed at the annual review meeting and our views are listed in part I of his 'annual review of statement of special educational needs'.

The need for specific one to one support is outlined in the headteachers summary.

Although it doesnt appear if it is asking for further funding regarding this.

OP posts:
sarah293 · 25/07/2007 17:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
Graciefer · 25/07/2007 17:51

Ok if I have this right, it seems to me the only obligation by the LEA is to provide fullt time education on the term after they are 5.

But my local authority has a policy of:

Children born between 1 September 2002 and 31 August 2003 may start at most primary schools in Plymouth in September 2007.

A few schools admit children on two dates:

September 2007 (for those born between 1 September 2002 and 28 February 2003)

January 2008 (for those born between 1 March 2003 and 31 August 2003)

So being as this is the policy as stated on their website and the fact my DS was born on 14th Feb 2007, it would seem he should offered fulltime education from Sept 07.

If this isn't offered, isn't he being discriminated against and not getting the same opportuntity as offer children within the area??

Or am I making a leap to far?

I want to contact the school about this tomorrow, but want to make sure I am making sense.

OP posts:
LIZS · 25/07/2007 18:24

Depends on the school's policy . He may still only be offered a part time place as of September with a policy of phased increase of all children to full time by the time they turn five, oldest first, so for your ds it might still be post Christmas or Easter. However usually part-time means 5 half days initially.

gess · 25/07/2007 18:29

I can understand your disappointment. DS1 also didn;t start school full time until the term after he was 5 (and it drove me mad). Initially he was doing 2 hours twice a week (!) That was mainstream though.

Why can't they cope? I know class 1 is large at the moment. Do they need extra staff? I think you could take that up with the LEA i.e try to get a funded 1:1. DS1 certainly had a satatment with that on it aged 4 (but agains when he was in ms).

gess · 25/07/2007 18:30

Contact me offlist graciefer. (or I'll email you later). I can give you some LEA info that might be useful (i;e what they have agreed with other children the same age as your ds).

mymatemax · 25/07/2007 18:59

Here full time education is offered at the start of the term in which they turn 5 so for your ds it would be January & the schools set their own p/time arrangements.
DS's school they all move from nursery to reception in September but only the children born between Sept & xmas will be doing a full day in September.

Original poster
Graciefer · 25/07/2007 19:02

Hi Gess,

I have emailed, thanks for any info you can give me.

They can't cope because DS must have 1 to 1 support at all times and the size of the class doesnt allow that.

That is why he has been delayed from moving up to 5 days as first offered both Jan 07, Easter 07 and now Sep 07.

JM has stressed the need for extra funding for 1 to 1 support, I had hoped that the statement would cover this but have asked on many occasion if I could do anything to put pressure on the LEA to help, but haven't had any feedback.

I presumed the recent review of his statement would be stressing this need at every opportunity and indeed asking for it, but although it is mentioned, you could miss it if not reading closely.

Not sure what to do next tbh.

OP posts:
gess · 25/07/2007 20:42

oooh just replied before reading this post. If JM is saying he needs 1:1 then really I would go guns blazing with the LEA. If you have TE as your statemeting officer do meet face to face, I do think she is decent. If you want to meet the people who went to tribunal (and won!) let me know and I'll see if I can get everyone over here for coffee one morning in the hols (will be chaos, but never mind ) If JM says he needs 1:1 then you're going to have a battle whenever they grant it as they have a thing about not providing 1:1 in special schools.

I'd also get legal advice. There are education lawyers locally who give a free first session, and might be worth contacting them. I don't know who they are though. Will ask around.

gess · 25/07/2007 20:45

OK have emailed a friend who I know consulted local lawyers (her dd was out of school and the school she wanted was supposedly full). I think she said her session was free. (DD has a place now). Will let you know when she gets back to me (will ring her if I don't hear back).

Original poster
Graciefer · 25/07/2007 20:59

Thanks again Gess,

I have just replied to your email, in an all together far to long e-mail.

My apologies for that, many thanks for all your help though, I really do appreciate it.

Thanks again

OP posts:
gess · 25/07/2007 21:22

I've replied. Not too long an email from you at all.
I really recognise JM's style in your quote He's the only person I know who would type "a way away".

Do come over any time in the holidays by the way. You could test out the ds holding capacities of our fence. I wonder if ds1 and your ds would recognise each other? DS1 recognised someone from his bus at the donkeys; they were very sweet.