Experts stress that delaying school is not necessarily the best option for every summer-born child.
Academics at the University of Bristol, who reviewed evidence from a number of studies, external, concluded that while some summer-born children may benefit from starting Reception at five, later entry is not necessarily the best option in every case.
Their review also found some younger children benefit from starting school at four and can progress more quickly in a formal learning environment than peers who remain in pre-school for an additional year.
Co-author Maxime Perrott, now a researcher at the Education Policy Unit, said more up-to-date research, external showed the application process for deferrals was made harder due to a “postcode lottery”.
“It’s often a bureaucratic process, and some local authorities will automatically grant flexible entry, but some will only do it if your child’s got a SEN diagnosis.
“The whole system needs to be looked at and attention given to improving the school environment and making it more developmentally appropriate for all children,” she said.
Ruth Richardson, development manager at the Early Years Alliance, said being born in the summer did not automatically mean a child was not ready for school.
“In Reception, everything is play-based,” she said.
“If your child can write their own name, that’s brilliant, but if they can’t do it, then don’t worry. That’s why they’re going to school, to learn how to do that.”
