Deferring questions

[brenzi]

Hi all

My 3 year old will be due to go to school next year. He was born in May 2021, 3 months prematurely.

He has a significant speech delay but delays in other areas. He has made good progress this year after having grommets and adenotonsillectomy but still quite behind his peers. He is under SALT, ENT and paediatrician.

We have to start thinking about applying for school as soon and are in the process of requesting an EHCNA. He will definitely need extra help in school, and potentially will need to attend an provision.

He attends a wonderful and incredibly supportive day nursery where he has flourished, and made good relationships with the staff. We are considering deferring his school start because of his prematurity and delays, as well as how good his nursery is.

However there are a couple of things that are holding us back and wondered if anyone had advice?

1. What happens if you move when deferring school a year? We really are keen to move away from our current area, probably within the same county/LA but would consider moving to other areas. We would be moving early next year but probably after we apply for primary school place. How does this work if you have to name a school before you defer?

1. Would he still be eligible for 30 hours free childcare if we defer?

If you defer, you can still be eligible for 30hrs free if you meet the eligibility criteria.

If you change school, there is no guarantee deferral will be agreed. Although it is generally accepted deferred DC should remain out of their chronological age group unless there are good educational reasons to return to their chronological year group.

Unless you have a finalised EHCP by the normal admissions deadline, you should make an application via the normal admissions process. Moving after the normal application deadline can complicate matters. If you move within your LA and don’t change your preferences, you can inform the LA of your new address and ask they use your old address for admission purposes and your new address for correspondence in order to avoid being classed as a late applicant. If you move to another LA or within your LA but change your preferences, you will be treated as a late applicant.

You should try to remain in the current LA until you either have a finalised EHCP or you get to a point where you need to appeal to SENDIST.

Be aware if you move LAs with an EHCP, the new LA will review the EHCP and potentially amend, reassess or even cease to maintain. You would be appeal to appeal, but it is something you need to be aware of.

If you do get an EHCP, being educated outside of the chronological year group can be included in there.