Holding son back from school

peachyprice

lisaloo1977 wrote: »

When he starts school his hours will increase to 5 days starting at 8-30am and finishing at 4-30pm, i am not sure he is ready for this.

Are you sure it will be all day when he starts?

In my LEA the little ones only do half day up until Christmas. Perhaps this would be a better arrangement if it's possible and he wouldn't miss out on being in reception.

I think the reception year is an important introduction to school and getting used to the day to day routines. Year 1 it quite different, he would be expected to settle down with his work more as there if more of a focus on numeracy, literacy & reading rather than the learning through play they experience in reception.

miss_independent

Lisaloo, from personal experience, Independent Schools are usually fine with children starting in reception a year later. There were two girls in my year who were a full year older than me.

lisaloo1977

mrcow wrote: »

:rotfl:

Somehow I don't think your post is going to offer much comfort to the OP.

:rotfl:

I really do not want to put him at a disadvantage, that is the whole reason for wanting to look at holding him back in the first place. I agree that going straight into year 1 and missing reception would not be helpful. I am also worried about him missing out on bonding time with the other children in that case as well. Are children as clicky as adults can be, or do they happily accept new people?

If the school is a private school, do they have more flexability when it comes to these things? I guess i mean are they able to put him into reception next year if i hold him back?

I do wish they would phone back, but i guess with it being the holidays now i am going to have to be patient.:mad:

pelirocco

It certainly wont do him any harm to wait a year , I know someone who worked in a school and she said it was distressing that they start them so young , lot would be crying , couldnt cope with going to the toilet or eating with the other children . He wont be held back academically , most European countries don't start formal schooling until they are 7 .

lisaloo1977

peachyprice wrote: »

Are you sure it will be all day when he starts?

In my LEA the little ones only do half day up until Christmas. Perhaps this would be a better arrangement if it's possible and he wouldn't miss out on being in reception.

I think the reception year is an important introduction to school and getting used to the day to day routines. Year 1 it quite different, he would be expected to settle down with his work more as there if more of a focus on numeracy, literacy & reading rather than the learning through play they experience in reception.

Yes his hours are longer, i believe it is all to do with longer school holidays.

lisaloo1977

miss_independent wrote: »

Lisaloo, from personal experience, Independent Schools are usually fine with children starting in reception a year later. There were two girls in my year who were a full year older than me.

That is good to hear and puts my mind a little at rest. I gather this would not change when he progressed to his next school at 13? We chose this particular school because they did not move up to secondary school until 13 as oppose to 11.

Wow reading that back i sound like a paranoid clingy mother:eek: I promise i am not! I just do worry when it comes to giving him the best possible education we can, at the right time for him.

Siemo

I used to work in an independent school and the school seemed to take the opinion that as the parent was paying they could pretty much do what they like as far as hours were concerned, so you may find they are happy to let him go part time.

The school I worked at wouldn't have let him start a year later in reception though, they were strict about sticking to the correct year groups. Not sure why, someone else mentioned SATs which could well be the reason.

Siemo

Another thought - the fact that you're so worried about this probably means he'll cope fine....it's the parents who couldn't care less and have done nothing with them at home whose children tend to suffer. I'm sure your DS will be bright and once he gets used to the longer school day he'll catch up no problem.

miss_independent

twinkliestar wrote: »

I used to work in an independent school and the school seemed to take the opinion that as the parent was paying they could pretty much do what they like as far as hours were concerned, so you may find they are happy to let him go part time.

The school I worked at wouldn't have let him start a year later in reception though, they were strict about sticking to the correct year groups. Not sure why, someone else mentioned SATs which could well be the reason.

Its worth finding out if the school does SATs. My independent school didn't so that is probably why they weren't strict on ages.

miss_independent

lisaloo1977 wrote: »

That is good to hear and puts my mind a little at rest. I gather this would not change when he progressed to his next school at 13? We chose this particular school because they did not move up to secondary school until 13 as oppose to 11.

Wow reading that back i sound like a paranoid clingy mother:eek: I promise i am not! I just do worry when it comes to giving him the best possible education we can, at the right time for him.

I doubt it, although some private schools move exceptionally bright children up a year if they feel they are getting bored.