Do you support summer borns starting school a year late?

[Tortycat]

I'm not a teacher but gate crashing this thread as would be interested to hear what those working in education think. Ds is end of july 2014 born and behind in a few ways though no obvious SEN (eg still struggling to potty train, still sometimes naps). I'd like him to start school next year in reception instead, as not only do i think he's not ready, I'm aware of disadvantages for summer borns at schools, especially boys. However the head of our local school seems very against this.

Is there any particular reason why this should be? He's given us none except that its not necessary. I feel like a pushy mc parent but i cant really understand why he's against it

So, in England and Wales, any child born between April 1st and (I guess) September falls into this category? 6 months' worth of births?

As the poster in Ireland says, the English system seems to be phenomenally complicated for some reason. But as another poster says, surely the people holding their children back a year, then contribute to the fact that the following year others are going to do it because they know there are going to be children almost a year older (who have in turn been kept back) and on it goes.

I'm secondary, but curious, as here, we also have the possibility to defer (although all children go to "nursery" between 3 and 6 and learn to read and write in their last year there so enter school at 6 (or, if deferred 7) having done exactly what UK kids have done in reception/yr 1 etc. Just in nursery. So, are undeniably "ready" The nursery teachers are the ones who will say if a child isn't ready and it will be based on mainly the reading/writing skills I imagine)

What I find in secondary, is that the kids who have been held back when younger only start to think about it when they are one of very few starting university at 20 rather than just turned 18 and have to explain that no, they haven't had a gap year. I imagine, as other posters have said, it's more noticeable when very young. The oldest child in dd's primary class was a year and a bit older than the youngest, and the difference to everyone was very noticeable. Even her own mother called her "Mother Hen"

Dd is October born so it was never an issue for us, but she was the second youngest in her class anyway.

My baby was born on 31st August (due 10th Sept) I feel terribly like I've failed her already. I hope I can make the decision based on her abilities at the right time but I'm scared I won't know what to do for the best.

I believe that the law in the UK is being changed to ensure parents of summer born children have the choice whether they start school at 4 or 5. IMO this is definitely a situation in which the parent will know best what is appropriate for their child.

In most really successful education systems children start school aged 6. I think 4 is far too young for formal learning, it's completely unnecessary.

I think it’s a good idea for prem babies who are born in July/August-especially those with any SEN.

I wonder what implications it will have further down the line with very wide age ranges in one class-will that have any social/emotional/hormonal consequences?

Deferring school entry for summer borns does concern me a bit. I decided against it for my summer born dd as I felt that being held back in nursery with 3 year olds when she was almost 5 would hold her back socially as well as academically. She is in reception now and doing very well but she is physically small (the smallest in her class) and is now with a couple of children who are so much bigger and will be turning 6 while she is still only 4. It just widens the gap. I am all for it for individual circumstances if it is required but not parental choice alone because people want their child to be top of the class. Nurseries are very good at advising on school readiness and I respected the nurseries opinion when I asked about dd, I believe they were right

Just make sure you look at the whole child. Social skills, size, physical skills

I think parents should have flexibility as to when to start school. My birthday is end of July and I most definitely wasn't ready to start school. I was the youngest in all my classes through primary and secondary, and it showed. I was emotionally immature which really affected me. Academically, at primary anyway, I was fine, but I struggled with friendships, sports, emotions etc. Everyone around me was far more confident etc which just made me even more shy and anxious. Secondary school was a nightmare, I started a straight A pupil, but due to anxiety, bullying, abuse, etc I ended up failing all my exams at age 16. I turned it around by spending 3 years in a sixth form, where I re-sat my GCEs in the first year, then did A levels in classes with pupils a year younger - for the first time, I felt as if I fitted in, I was on a level re emotions and maturity. I often wonder whether I'd have had a happier school life if I'd been able to start school a year later as the eldest in my class instead of the youngest.