Introduction
1. It is South Gloucestershire policy that children should move from one year group to another with their chronological age group, including children with special educational needs and those with English as an additional language.
2. Exceptionally, a child may be educated with a peer group one year younger or one year older than their chronological age group.
3. A child without a Statement of Special Educational Needs may be educated with a peer group one year younger if there is an identified educational need and the following conditions are met:
- the parent/carer (and child) agree;
- the Head Teacher is in agreement, having taken into account relevant legislation, for example Infant Class Size, Special Educational Needs;
- the child has a late summer birthday (before 31 August); and
- was born prematurely or has had significant health and/or social problems (affecting developmental progress and/or school attendance) during previous years;
- the child’s attainments are in line with less able children in the younger age group, but he/she is likely to make appropriate progress in this group;
- an assessment by the appropriate educational psychologist supports the request and is endorsed by the Principal Educational Psychologist.
Once placed in a younger age group it is difficult, if not impossible, for a child to return to their chronological age group successfully. As the child will reach statutory school leaving age before completing Key Stage 4 courses of study, the parents/carers should be prepared to support the child for a further year in school. Parents/Carers will be required to sign a form to confirm that they understand and accept the implications of late transfer. This will also confirm that the pupil should be treated as a member of the younger peer group for secondary transfer purposes.
4. A child may be accelerated by a year if there is an expressed and identified educational need and if the following conditions are met:
- the parent/carer (and child) agree;
- the Head Teacher(s) is in agreement, having taken into account relevant legislation, for example Infant Class Size, Special Educational Needs;
- educational reports indicate that the pupil is working at a level equal to that of the most able pupils in the year ahead, and is physically and socially mature for his/her age;
- an assessment by the appropriate educational psychologist supports the change and this is endorsed by the Principal Educational Psychologist.
Once accelerated it is difficult, if not impossible, for a child to return to their chronological age group without feeling demoralised. As a child cannot legally leave school until sixteen years of age, it will be necessary to undertake sixth form studies after completing Key Stage 4 courses of study. Parents/Carers will be required to sign a form to confirm that they understand and accept the implications of early transfer. This will also confirm that the pupil should be treated as a member of the older peer group for secondary transfer purposes.
5. If a pupil without a Statement of Special Educational Needs is not resident in South Gloucestershire but seeks early/ late admission to a South Gloucestershire school, the parent/carer should submit the evidence detailed in points 3 and 4 for consideration by South Gloucestershire Council’s Department for Children and Young People.
6. In the case of a child with a Statement of Special Educational Needs this decision should be taken by the Case Advisory Panel on consideration of the initial Statutory Assessment or review recommendations, including a report from an Educational Psychologist. The peer group with which the child is to be educated should be noted in the Statement and any alteration made through the review process.
7. If a pupil with a Statement of Special Educational Needs is not resident in South Gloucestershire but seeks early/late admission to a South Gloucestershire school, the placement should be agreed by South Gloucestershire Council and the Statement should be appropriately amended by the issuing Authority.