Families seeking to delay their summer-born children from starting primary school face an "unfair" postcode lottery across England, with some councils refusing more than half of parents' requests. The stark disparities mean success depends largely on where families live rather than their child's individual needs.
Parents of children born between April and August can request delayed entry to Reception, but new analysis reveals wildly inconsistent approval rates. While some councils approve 100% of requests, others turn down the majority of applications from families who believe their child isn't emotionally or physically ready for school.
Council refusal rates vary dramatically
Freedom of information requests to 153 councils show Lambeth Council in London refused more than two in three requests for delayed Reception entry from September 2024. Seventeen requests were made for summer-born children and 12 were refused, despite government guidance stating refusals should be "rare".
Lincolnshire County Council initially refused nearly two in three requests in one year, declining 56 out of 87 applications. However, following updated Department for Education guidance in 2023, the council dramatically changed its approach and refused only 13 out of 89 requests the following year.
Some areas approve all requests
More than two in five councils that provided data - 39 out of 86 - approved every single request from parents over the three-year period studied. Leicestershire County Council, which neighbours Lincolnshire, received 139 applications and refused none of them.
Hertfordshire County Council, which automatically processes summer-born applications, received 766 requests over three years with no refusals. West Sussex County Council similarly approved all 293 requests during the same period.
Real families affected by inconsistency
Bianca Sumpter from London experienced the system's failings firsthand when Lambeth Council refused her request to delay her son Rumo's school start. Born on 26 August 2020 with a kidney condition requiring two operations, Rumo had speech delays, separation anxiety and was still napping during the day.
"You are making the decision because it's best for your child, and you just feel so helpless that they're taking this decision out of your hands when they do not know your child," the 43-year-old told PA. The family kept Rumo in nursery for an extra year, and teachers later confirmed he wasn't ready for Year 1.
Neighbouring councils take different approaches
The inconsistency becomes even starker when comparing neighbouring areas. Southwark Council, just seven minutes' walk from Sumpter's home, approves all requests from parents wanting their summer-born child to start Reception a year later in community schools.
"I could literally walk there in seven minutes. It's ridiculous that we've had to fight," Sumpter said. After a year of uncertainty, Lambeth Council finally agreed to let Rumo start Reception next month rather than enter Year 1.
Campaigners demand legal changes
Pauline McDonagh Hull from The Summer Born Campaign described the situation as "completely unfair" and called for statutory changes. The campaign group wants the Department for Education to update the School Admissions Code to give parents of summer-born children a "legal right" to enrol their children in Reception at age five.
"Some parents have more knowledge about the law and their rights, and some parents have greater capacity to fight if a fight is needed," she told PA. The group argues the government has failed to deliver on promises to ensure all summer-born children have automatic rights to uninterrupted education.
Research reveals inequality concerns
Tammy Campbell, visiting senior fellow at the London School of Economics, said the findings show accessing deferred entry is "far from equitable". Her research suggests more advantaged families are most likely to successfully defer their summer-born children's school start.
"Children not registered for free school meals and those from families with English as a first language are more likely to defer," Campbell explained. This raises concerns that the current system may be widening rather than narrowing educational inequalities.
Government maintains current guidance
A Department for Education spokeswoman said the government's guidance remains clear that it should be "rare" for deferral requests to be refused, as missing a year of education is rarely in a child's best interests. However, officials acknowledge that parents' experiences still vary across different areas.
Margaret Mulholland from the Association of School and College Leaders said decisions should always prioritise children's best interests, whether through appropriate support or delayed entry. She called for consistent application of clear expectations so families know what to expect rather than facing a postcode lottery.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
