Agenda item

Report ED14025

The Committee considered a report setting out the issues, context and implications of policy regarding the admission of summer-born children to primary school.

Under current admissions arrangements, local authorities must make provision for admitting all children in the September following their fourth birthday, although parents could defer entry until the term in which a child reached compulsory school age (five years).  The Admissions Code detailed the statutory guidelines with regard to the admission of children below compulsory school age, deferred entry to school, and admission outside of a child’s age group, which was permissible in exceptional circumstances, such as where a child had missed part of a year due to ill health.  The Department for Education had published non-statutory advice on the admission of summer-born children in July 2013 that set out three key principles.  These comprised that school admissions authorities were required to provide for the admission of all children in the September following their fourth birthday but that flexibilities existed for children whose parents did not feel were ready to begin school, that school admissions authorities were responsible for making the decision on which year group a child should be admitted to but should make this decision based on the circumstances of the case, and that there was no statutory barrier to children being admitted outside their normal year group.

In Bromley, deferred entry to Reception was currently only considered on exceptional grounds and where supported by professional evidence.  The decision on deferral was made on a case-by-case basis by each admission authority.  Own admission authorities, such as academy schools, were advised to consult with the Local Authority to ensure that there was fairness in decision making across the Borough.  Although the law did not specifically prescribe the year to which a child must be admitted, there was an expectation that children would be educated within their chronological age group.  It was uncommon for children in Bromley to be educated outside their age cohort except in exceptional circumstances, such as ill health or a child having a statement of Special Educational Needs which determined deferral necessary to meet their individual learning needs.  The Early Years curriculum was designed to meet the needs of all children across the age cohort, and schools and early years providers were equally expected to adhere to the required standards.

In considering the report, a Co-opted Member was concerned that parents of summer-born children did not appear to have a choice in when their child started school, with many parents feeling pressured for their child to start Reception in the September after their fourth birthday.  The Interim Assistant Director: Education confirmed that it was possible for parents to defer their child’s place and begin Reception later in the year.  A Member noted that parents were not seeking to defer their child’s start date to Reception, but to be free to apply for their child to join Reception in the September after their fifth birthday and benefit from a full year in Reception.

In considering the possibility for summer-born children to join Reception in the September after their fifth birthday, the Portfolio Holder for Education underlined the current high demand for primary school places and was concerned that further pressure might be placed on the number of school places available through any move to defer the Reception start date of summer-born children.  The Vice-Chairman was also concerned that if children were educated outside of their age cohort, it would impact their whole education. 

A Member requested that more information be provided to Members of the Education PDS Committee on the science behind moves to request summer-born children started in Reception in the September after their fifth birthday.  A Co-opted Member also requested that the Local Authority write to the Department for Education for clarification, and that guidance on the admission of summer-born children be provided to schools across the Borough

In summarising the debate, the Chairman noted that there were arguments for both retaining the existing system, which was supported by the statutory Admissions Code, and to introduce more flexibility for the admission of summer-born children. 

The Vice-Chairman moved that no further action be taken at this time until there was a change to the statutory Admissions Code.  Councillor David McBride seconded this motion.

Following a vote of 6-4, Members RESOLVED that no further action be taken at this time until there was a change to the statutory Admissions Code.

Councillor Kathy Bance MBE requested that her vote against the motion be recorded.

RESOLVED that:

1)  The current position with regards to the administration of admissions for summer-born children be noted; and,

2)  The implications to the Local Authority to a change in the current admissions arrangements be noted.