I would like my kid to be put back a year at school, how do i go about it?

[sparkyrc]

we have twin girls, whom were born 10 weeks premature, unfortunately their birth date puts them in school yr1, but due to prem. they are physically and Mentally only reception level... they are currently on school action and one is on school action +, we feel that if the Girls were put back into Yr1 again at the end of this school year, it would greatly help their self esteem, confidence, and they would be with a peer group more to their ability level. We have recently been asked for the one on Sch. Act. + to see an Educational Psychologist, so the school recognise that there are problems, I need help on the best way to tackle this problem, to hopefully give the kids the best start and most help we can ....

[mimififi]

I'm not sure exactly, but I think you just have to ask the school. I think it is much easier to hold a child back, than it is to ask for one to go into a higher year group. Certainly at this level, it shouldn't be a problem, I'm not sure what the legislation is at year 7 though?

My brother was a preemie, and was 7 weeks early, but his birthday is 29 of August, so it was quite easy to put forward a case because he was right on the cusp anyway. He didn't go back though until he was doing his GCSEs. My parents moved abroad and when they came back asked the school to put him in the year group below, and they said ok.

I think it is just a case of chat to the head and maybe you could get your GP or HV to write a letter supporting your decision. For what it is worth, I think you are very wise to do this. However, it wouldn't hurt to see the Ed Psych anyways, as their might be underlying problems also such as Dyslexia or Dyspraxia which could have occured anyway even if they hadn't have been prem. Ed Pysches are generally so nice and are far more knowledgeable than us classroom teachers.

[kags]

You should just be aware that many LEAs will not fund children for an "extra year", unless there are very strong reasons - the child would almost certainly need a Statement for it to be considered. This means that (usually just before secondary school), the child has to jump a year to catch up. You need to check this out and bear it in mind before making any decisions.

[tigerthecat]

In my LEA they will not put a child down or up even in the case of a child who was newlly arrived in the country who was physically 7 (second teeth all in placeand developmentally aged 7). She had to go into reception with 4 year olds. Look for additional support in school for them. The earlier the better :-)

[MrsJo49155]

Your school should have a SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator) who you can speak to about your fears and concerns. They are great for liaising between the school and LEA and are generally very knowledgeable on regional policies.