In September 2014, in response to the DfE’s School Admissions Code consultation, Sheffield City Council’s submission said:

“The Guidance is clear that the assumption is to approve a parental request unless there is reason not to. This principle is fully supported as it is recognised that the wishes of parents should be given priority.”

Fast forward 5 months to February 2015 and Sheffield’s Children, Young People and Families Service (Inclusion & Learning Services) has written to a parent:

“Sheffield is currently reviewing its position on delayed admission, and whilst it is not yet finalised, I can confirm that Sheffield’s view point would be that delayed admission should be an exception and only approved in very rare circumstances.”

This is not the first case of a change of position by a council following the December 2014 publication of the DfE’s School Admissions Code – a Code the DfE told the media would offer “flexibility” to parents of summer born children…

We plan to contact Sheffield City Council to try to get to the bottom of its policy change, especially given this January 2015 communication to the same parent:

“Ordinarily a request to delay entry until compulsory school age would mean that your child would forgo a place in Reception and join the school at the start of Year 1.“