Deferred entry to reception class

Parents may request that their child be admitted to reception class on a part-time basis, or that their child be admitted to the Academy later in the same academic year until the child reaches compulsory school age (i.e. beginning of the term after the child’s fifth birthday). The effect is that the place will be held for the child in reception and is not available to be offered to any other child within the same academic year in which it has been offered. Before deciding whether to defer their child’s entry to the Academy, parents should visit their preferred setting to clarify how they cater for the youngest children in Reception and how the needs of these children are met as they move up through the Academy.

Admission outside of the normal age group

Parents may seek to apply for their child’s admission to the Academy outside of their normal age group, for example if the child is exceptionally gifted and talented or has experienced problems such as ill health. In addition, the parents of summer born children may choose not to send their child to school until the September following their fifth birthday and may request that they are admitted outside of their normal age group to reception rather than year 1.
These parents will need to make an application alongside children applying at the normal age which should explain why it is in the child’s best interest to be admitted outside of their normal age which may include information such as professional evidence as to why this is the case and why an exception should be made in the case of the child. A decision as to whether this is an appropriate course of action will be made by the Local authority and / or Academy taking into account the circumstances of the case and views of the Principal. Parents do not have the right to insist that their child is admitted to a particular year group.