Parents of summer born children (children born between 1 April and 31 August) can request that their child is admitted to Reception in the September after they turn five, a year later than they would usually start school.
Deciding to request delayed entry
Please refer to the Department for Education guidance:
- Summer born children starting school: advice for parents
- Making a request for admission out of the normal age group
Making a request to delay entry
You will need to put a request in writing to your preferred school/s.
You should also apply for a school place as normal – as if your child were going to start school at age 4 – even if you think you want to delay their start until age 5.
How your request will be considered
The admission authority must make a decision based on the individual circumstances. They should refer to the Department for Education guidance:
Guidance on handling admissions requests for summer born children
What happens next
If your request is agreed:
Agreement does not guarantee a place at the school even if you have been offered a place for your child's chronological year group - you will still need to apply (or reapply) for a place at the school for the next year so that it can be considered alongside all other applications for reception in that year.
- If you applied for a place in your child's normal age group you can withdraw this application (or decline the place if one has already been offered) - you should contact us to do this.
- You will then need to make an application as part of the main admissions round for the following year. To do this you will need to contact us in September for an application form and provide evidence of the school's agreement.
- Your application will be considered alongside all other applications in accordance with the school's published admission criteria.
If your request is refused:
- You can accept the offer of (or apply for) a place in Reception for your child's normal age group. You could then request part-time entry or delay your child’s school start until later in the school year (but not later than the beginning of the summer term).
- You can refuse the offer of a place in Reception in the normal age group and make an in-year application later in the school year for Year 1 in the September following their fifth birthday.
- You can make a request to other schools.
- If you are not happy with the response to your request you can make a complaint to the Admission Authority for the school. You do not have the right of appeal. If you are still not happy following the complaint process there is further information in the Department for Education guidance.