However, if parents wish such a child to be educated “out-of year group” i.e. in the Reception Year rather than Y1 they may request this and should discuss it with the school as soon as possible. Such applications will be considered by the governors on a case by case basis. Consideration will be given first and foremost to what is in the child’s best interests. Parents may submit any supporting evidence for consideration, if available. Governors will also take into account the views of the Headteacher.

All such parents should apply for their child’s normal age group at the usual time and may submit a request for admission out of the normal age group at the same time.

The governors will respond to this request prior to the offer of a place being made. If the request is agreed the application can be withdrawn for that year before the place is offered.

If the request is refused, parents may decide whether or not to accept the offer of a place for the normal age group, or refuse it and make an in-year application for admission into Y1 for the September following the child’s fifth birthday.

Where a parent’s request has been agreed, they must make a new application as part of the main admissions round the following year. Parents do not have the right of appeal against a decision not to place the child in a year group outside their normal age group.

### Children Out of Year Group (except applications for reception from summer born)

The school’s policy is for children to be educated within their correct chronological year group, with the curriculum differentiated as necessary to meet the needs of individual children. This is in line with DfE guidance* which states that “in general, children should be educated in their normal age group”.

If parents/carers believe their child(ren) should be educated in a different year group they should, at the time of application, submit supporting evidence from relevant professionals working with the child and family stating why the child must be placed outside their normal age appropriate cohort. DfE guidance makes clear that “it is reasonable for admission authorities to expect parents to provide them with information in support of their request – since without it they are unlikely to be able to make a decision on the basis of the circumstances of the case”.

The school’s governing body, as the relevant admission authority, will decide whether the application will be accepted on the basis of the information submitted. The governors’ decision will be based upon the circumstances of each case including the view of parents, the headteacher, the child's social, academic and emotional development and whether the child has been previously educated out of year group. There is no guarantee that an application will be accepted on this basis. If the application is not accepted this does not constitute a refusal of a place and there is no right to an independent statutory appeal. Similarly, there is no right of appeal for a place in a specific year group at a school. The internal management and organisation of a school, including the placement of pupils in classes, is a matter for the Headteacher and senior leadership of the school.

* ‘Advice on the admission of summer born children’ May 2021

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