Schools see drop in delayed entry bids

Published on Wednesday 1 June 2011 13:56

THE number of parents applying to delay their child's entry to primary school has fallen by 15 per cent after education bosses launched a drive to make people think twice.

The number of applications fell from 542 to 459 in the past year as education bosses sought to reverse the current "trend" for deferral.

Despite the drop, the number of parents opting to keep their child back an extra year is still significantly higher in Edinburgh than anywhere else in Scotland.

Education leader Marilyne MacLaren recently expressed her views on deferred entry in the Evening News, where she stated she was "convinced" that a child's entry into primary one should not be delayed "as a matter of course or just because the parents want it".

The number of parents applying to the council for deferral has been on the rise for several years, prompting education bosses to take action.

They launched a series of "roadshows" last year where members of staff talked to parents about the benefits and disadvantages of deferral in a bid to change the current trend.

Cllr MacLaren said that a child's experience at home and background had far more impact on how they did in school than their age when they started school.

The roadshows have been deemed a success by education bosses and will be used again to inform parents of the pros and cons of deferral, particularly in the context of Curriculum for Excellence.

A growing number of parents want their children to enjoy "carefree" childhoods for another year and many look to the world-renowned education systems of Finland and Sweden, where children don't start school until they are seven.

However, it is argued that the Curriculum for Excellence offers a smoother transition between nursery and school than previously.

Another argument against deferred entry is that legally children would be able to leave school at 16 having not achieved any qualifications.

Cllr MacLaren said educational practice, such as delayed entry, could be a "victim of fashion".

She added: "Sometimes deferring is the best option but in most cases we find that pupils tend to be ready for school.

"The key is to identify those who need the extra year at nursery and ensure they get it for the right reasons and to avoid deferring for the sake of it."

Councillor Cameron Rose, education spokesman for the Conservatives, argued, however, that it was "healthy" so many parents in Edinburgh were utilising their parental choice. He said: "The high number of requests in Edinburgh represents parents taking control of their children's education and that's healthy."