Delayed school admission
Children born between 1 April and 31 August are known as summer born. They usually start school in the September after their fourth birthday.
You can ask for your summer born child to start school a year later, in the September after their fifth birthday.
Before you apply
You should:
- Talk to the headteacher of the school(s) you want to apply to
- Read the Department for Education’s advice for parents of summer born children
There is no legal right to have your child admitted to a different age group. The school does not have to agree to your request.
How to apply
You must:
- Submit and offical application for a place in your child’s normal age group. Guidance for this can be found on our website
- Inform the Council by submitting a Summer Born Delayed Admission Request form
- Send both applications by 15 January
Submit a Delayed Admission Request to the Council
What happens next
Each school’s admission authority will decide whether to agree to your request. They will consider:
- Your reasons
- Your child’s needs
- The headteacher’s views
- Any professional advice you provide
If your request is approved, your original application will be withdrawn. You’ll need to apply again the following year. There’s no guarantee of a place at your chosen school.
Changing your mind
If you change your preferred schools, you must speak to the new school(s). The headteacher may not support your request.
Moving to junior or secondary school
If your child has been taught outside their normal age group, you must make a new request when they move to junior or secondary school.
The new school’s admission authority will decide based on your child’s needs and previous education.
Appeals
You can appeal if your child is refused a place at a school. You cannot appeal the year group offered, but you can complain to the school’s admission authority.
