Starting school at 4 years old

Janepig

notanewuser wrote: »

Luckily that tw.unt has no control over education here. :T

Nope, we've got tw.unts of our own in Wales, which is why our children are further behind those in England (and that's saying something!!!).

Jx

squashy

Just bear in mind that if you defer you may struggle to get a place at your preferred school, e.g. if they only have one intake date.

shelby75

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

Our son started full-time school this September, despite only having turned 4 in mid-August and being the size of a 2-year-old

In theory we should have applied for a Reception class place last autumn to start this September, but he's got a Statement and has gone straight into specialist school. BUT despite them having organised both of these elements, I don't think our LEA realise he's started school - they've just written to us to insist that, because we didn't apply last year, we *must* apply for a Y1 place for him next September when he turns 5 :rotfl:

Ha! I love your post! (even though I don't like your LEA's unlawful blanket policy!) Made me lol ! Thanks!:D

shelby75

squashy wrote: »

Just bear in mind that if you defer you may struggle to get a place at your preferred school, e.g. if they only have one intake date.

Not quite correct. If you want to 'defer' which would mean acceptance of an offered place, and you request, if you so wish, uptake of that place later on that academic year - the place is already secured, and they HAVE to keep it open - LEGALLY. Doesn't matter what they say about their intakes, you get a place - you want to defer? Go ahead, 'tis your right. It's all their in black and white - check out the School Admissions Code, ask your MP, ask the Department for Education if you so wish. To do otherwise would be unlawful.

alleycat`

susancs wrote: »

This can be a common misconception. Children who attend a nursery attached to a primary school do not automatically get transfered to the main school and have to make an application for a school place which will be considered under their published admissions criteria. The reason most schools do not give priority to children attending the nursery is that it gives those who have attended a different provision or no provision previously an equal chance of applying for the place. I have seen some very upset Nursery school parents whose children did not get a place when others who had not attended the nursery school better met the admissions criteria.

In my experience this doesn't apply to any of the "faith" or VA funded schools.

I imagine a lot of the independent schools / academies will go the same route.

LEA schools have their own rules, i accept, but to be frank, where i live they tend to not do as well because those schools that can pick and choose do so for a reason, rightly or wrongly.

If you aren't at nursery there is almost no chance you will get in to the better schools i mention above.

At my sons school, as an example, only 1 child who wasn't in nursery got in and that was on faith and moving to the area.

If it wasn't a faith school he wouldn't have got in.

If you put pressure on schools and create league tables the result is going to be schools bending the rules and picking and choosing.

Money_maker

I'm a mid august myself so I started just after I was four.

Reading the OP's last post, seems the child just gets tired but appears to be ready. Looks like it's mum who's not ready for her baby to go to school. Perhaps the OP can use the next year to prepare for her child moving along in life.

couponqueen123

notanewuser wrote: »

I don't believe the LA have any rights whatsoever to approve or otherwise, but I'm happy to be corrected.

im not sure if they approve it (as in tell you what to teach or look at what yr teaching ) but i know they come do a check up few times a year maybe more if needed as i know some one who did this and got checked twice a year every year , said it was quick and easy and was never told she was doing wrong , just given info about library and places to take kids for education etc

you can get the info from your local council

flutterby_lil

foolofbeans wrote: »

I just received a letter telling me to choose a school for my child to attend September 2014. Child was born beginning July 2010 so will only just have turned 4 :eek:
I thought school was not mandatory until after the child's fifth birthday but it doesn't mention it anywhere in the letter. I was going to consider part-schooling where child attends school but on a part-time basis.
Does anybody have any advice/ info on where I can find out more on the options available?

My son is younger than yours and started having "just" turned 4. He is now in year 1 and is loving being at school. hasn;t done him any harm.

I work in a nursery school, it has been known for some of our children to stay on here, for example, if they havent got the school of their choice and gone to school when a place has become available, obviously not exceeding the legal requirement to go.

shelby75

foolofbeans wrote: »

No particular issues apart from thinking he is just too young for 5 full days at school. He has always been quite advanced with his communication and is big for his age but he's still my baby

Currently he attends preschool for 3 full days (9 til 3) and loves it but he is very tired.

From what I can find out I can keep him part time (15-20 hours) until the term after he is 5. The letter I received states I MUST apply before January 2014 and gives no options other than attending school at 4.

They are supposed to make the provisions of the school admissions code clear to parents; in fact it's a legal requirement.

Your his mum and you know him better than anyone no doubt. But if there is any doubt in your mind (maybe you've read the research regarding summer-borns and education?). Then pop on the facebook group 'flexible school admissions for summer borns'.

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do.

shiny76

delain wrote: »

You can defer a year but then your child will start year 1 as an 'outsider' having missed the reception year when a lot of important social stuff goes on.

I appreciate that every child is different and times have changed but something similar happened to me when I was due to start school. I was treated as an outsider and feel this had a major effect on my experience of primary school. It was miserable.