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Most parents chose to place their child at school in the September following their fourth birthday. However, there is now an alternative choice for some parents who would prefer to defer their child's entry to school.
Deferred Entry
The Department for Children Schools and Families requires all Admission Authorities to offer parents the opportunity to defer their child's entry to school. The admission must still take place within the academic year the child becomes five.
Somerset LA offers a scheme that gives parents of summer born children (ie, those born between 1 April and 31 August) to defer their child's entry to school until the beginning of the Spring Term. Qualifying children whose parents choose this option, would therefore start school in January 2010.
The School Place Application Form has a tick box which you can complete to apply for deferred entry (see page 3 of the form). If a parent chooses this option, and a place can be offered at their preferred school, the place will be reserved for the Autumn Term 2008 and your child’s place in their pre-school setting will continue to be funded for the entitled number of sessions.
When deciding whether or not to apply for deferred entry, parents should consider carefully any potential benefits of keeping their child in the early years setting for an additional term, and balance these against the possible difficulties of their child joining an established group of children in a school reception class, part way through the school year.
| Important Note: Parents of eligible children wanting to apply for deferred entry, must still apply for a school place in the normal way. Please complete and return the application form from the centre pages of this booklet and tick the box in the section on Deferred Entry. |
Delaying
Entry to school can be delayed for longer than one term although you must be aware that it is currently Somerset's policy not to reserve places and there would be a risk that a place may not be available at your preferred school at the time when you make your application.
Parents whose child(ren) are not eligible for deferred entry can decide to delay their child's entry to school for one or two terms, at which point they would enter the reception class.
If, however, you choose to delay your child's entry to school for a full year, your child would be admitted into the Year 1 class, in accordance with their chronological age. This is in line with the DCSF requirements.
Applications for delayed entry should be made direct to your preferred school, no longer than half a term in advance of when the place is needed. The Headteacher will let you know if they have a place available. If not, you will be entitled to appeal for a place. Alternatively, the Admissions Team can help you find another school. Parents will be expected to take up the place offered within half a term. Places will not be held open for longer than this period.
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