Hello, could you give me some advice about compulsory school age?
we live in northern ireland and the law here states that children must start school in september if they are four before 1st july in the same year.
This means that my son Jack is supposed to start primary one in September when he will be only four years and three months old.
i have contacted the department of education to explain that i think jack is too young to start formal education and i would prefer if he could start when he is five, just like his older brother and sister (they were both born in the autumn therefore were older at the start of primary one)who were ready to go into primary one.
the department so far have told me that this is the law and that he can only stay back if he has special needs.
there is very compelling research which suggests that children are generally starting school too young in this country and that boys in particular are getting a raw deal from being in this environment too early .
i am aware that the law is different in England and Scotland and if we lived there, jack would not have to start school until he was five.
can you give me some advice as i am finding the system very inflexible. thanks.
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Mariaherron · 28/02/2001 16:53
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