Before the COVID-19 crisis, many parents of summer born children had unanswered questions, unresolved battles, ongoing concerns about their children’s education, and worries about their children’s social and emotional well being.
With the government’s effective closure of schools and nurseries, these all remain, and now there are understandably new questions and concerns too (there have been a number of discussions in our Facebook group). Continue reading
The Summer Born Campaign was contacted about this initiative in Surrey, and is happy to share it here.
With thanks to the Late Birthday Project:
Surrey-based sports initiative helping young players overcome the ‘late birthdate’ disadvantage
Continue reading
On March 12th, Stephen Hammond, Conservative MP for Wimbledon asked:
“The Government are rightly committed to levelling up and creating opportunities. Two small changes to the admissions code would change the life chances of so many summer-born children. Could we have a debate in Government time on making changes to the admission code, to benefit the summer-born?”
Jacob Rees-Mogg, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons responded:
“With children born in June and July, I am well aware of the issue that my right hon. Friend raises. I think an Adjournment debate would be a suitable place to begin, but that is in your hands, Mr Speaker, not mine.”
There have been numerous media reports today about a new book aimed at teachers that reportedly says headteachers should not allow parents to enrol their summer born child in school at CSAge, and adjust their test scores later on instead.
This is an issue I wrote about back in August 2013 (Flexibility Exists in Law – Please Let Parents Use it), and while I haven’t yet read the book, I’m concerned whether the authors recognise CSAge legislation or include research evidence on outcomes beyond academic.
The Summer Born Campaign is quoted in The Independent’s online coverage:
Schools should adjust test scores by age to tackle disadvantage facing summer-born children, experts say Continue reading
It’s School Today
Dry your eyes, be brave, I say.
You’ve just turned 4 but it’s school today.
Let’s roll up your trousers, they’ll fit one day.
Now dry your eyes, be brave, I pray.
An exchange between Stephen Hammond MP and Schools Minister Nick Gibb, during a House of Commons debate on Monday, highlighted their shared concern that flexibility for summer born children entering school Reception class at CSAge might have “unintended consequences”.
Continue reading
The DfE has published a new report this week:
“Delayed school admissions for summer born pupils Research report (September 2019)”
This follows its 2018 report, which the Summer Born Campaign reviewed here.
The 2019 report conclusion confirms an ongoing postcode lottery:
THANK YOU
