Delaying a child's start to school
Delaying a child's start to school
Starting school
A child must start full-time education the term after they turn 5 years, but have a right to attend from the September after they turn 4.
If you don't want your child to start school the term after they turn 4 , you have some options. Please watch the video below and read the further information.
Deferring a school place
You can choose to delay the start of your secured place until your child is statutory school age, but can only delay for a maximum of two terms, so children born between 1 April and 31 August needs to start in April rather than the following September. You may also choose to send our child part-time until they are statutory school age.
This is a parental right and you should inform the school you are allocated of your plans. However, most schools prefer to have one in-take each year as the children settle into friendship groups and can all begin learning at the same stage. If you are considering this, we suggest you speak to the school once you have received your offer. You must apply for reception in the usual timescale.
Offsetting a school place
If your child is summer born (between 1 April and 31 August) you may be able to offset your child's school place; offsetting means your child will be taught a year behind their age-related year group.
Although parents have a right to ask the school to consider offsetting their child, the decision is made by the school's admissions authority (the governing body or Academy Trust) and will only be agreed if they feel it is in the best interests of the child and they can accommodate it in the school. This means some schools may agree and others refuse the offset request. There is no right of appeal if the offset is refused. Newcastle City Council co-ordinates the offset request process for Newcastle schools but you will receive a separate response from each school.
If you want to move schools, you need to ask each school you are considering a move to whether they will also accept the offset, this applies both to in-year applications and when your child reaches an age-phase transfer point, for example from primary to secondary school. If they do not agree, your child may need to miss a year of education or attend a school which is not your preference. For example, your child may need to move from year 5 to year 7 or from year 6 into year 8.
Further information can be found on the Government's Summer-born children: school admission guidance page. The Government released further advice to all local authorities and own admission authority schools on 21 July 2022. Government statement to schools
Use the form below to request an offset for your child. We will contact you to give you further information on the process and will co-ordinate the request with the schools.