Children born between 1 September and 31 March, have a legal right to defer admission to reception to the start of the term after the 5th birthday (that’s January or Easter). Summer-born children (born from 1 April to 31 August) can also defer until January or Easter or to the next September with a fresh application for Year 1 or for delayed admission to reception.
What is the legal position now?
All parents can defer admission until the start of term after the 5th birthday. Deferral during a reception year is a parental right, arranged after a place is offered. Offers are held open if the school is informed. Offers can’t be held open past Easter and will be withdrawn if not taken up. Parents must then reapply – in-year for year 1 which may already be full or at a key stage one class limit.
If a child is summer-born, a parent can request delayed admission to reception for the following September but a place can’t be held open to the next academic year. The decision rests with the admission authority for the school.
There are two stages to delayed admission: (1) request agreement in writing to admissions ideally by March, at least before the end of the June before your child could join reception and if it is agreed (2) formally apply for admission in the next academic year.
Agreements and refusals for delayed admission are both lawful responses to parents. Refusals must be reasoned and on individual circumstances.
What’s the position in Devon?
Devon has decided that requests for delayed admission for 2018/19 and 2019/20 to community and voluntary controlled schools will be considered on a case-by-case basis, according to the School Admissions Code. The headteacher’s view will be sought. If agreed, the parent must apply in the next intake to reception – applications will be considered as if the child were of the ‘correct’ age for the next intake.
We provide a form for parents to set out reasons for delayed admission. There is no requirement for professional evidence in support of a request, it can simply be parental preference.
Might it change?
If the government amends the School Admissions Code so that delayed admission becomes a right for summer-born children, admission arrangements would have to be amended to make this clear.
What about other admission authorities (OAA)?
We encourage Devon academies and free, voluntary aided and foundation schools to have the same approach. Decisions remain with those schools and they will also agree or refuse to delayed admission requests on a case-by-case basis. You should discuss your wishes with any schools you are interested in.
Why might delayed admission not be in your child’s best interests?
You’ll have your reasons why you are thinking about delayed admission. We assume children will be in the year group that is ‘correct’ for their date of birth unless you say otherwise. There are reasons why schools might feel it’s either not necessary or would have negative consequences. For example:
- children mature at different rates at different times and it can be challenging for a child to move back up a year group
- the curriculum for four-year-olds is the same in nursery as it is in reception
- schools are very experienced in meeting the needs of younger children
- children can be upset if they feel they have been held back from moving up with their friends
- funding arrangements will need to be changed at the end of further education
- children can make their own decisions to leave school at 16 even if they are a year behind and haven’t done year 11
We would like your decision on whether to seek delayed admission to be an informed decision. Please talk to the School Admissions Service, to your child’s pre-school, GP if you have any medical concerns and, most importantly, the schools you have an interest in. You may feel that your child isn’t ready for school.
Other options include deferring for part of the year or taking up a part-time place. Children develop at different speeds at different times and some parents have found that delayed admission solves a short-term issue but causes long-term problems.
Parents can complete the delayed admission form in order to make a request for delayed admission to reception for summer-born children.
Please return the form along with any additional documentation you wish to be considered to admissions@devon.gov.uk or post to The Schools Admissions Team, Room L60, County Hall, Exeter EX2 4QG.