Apply for a primary place out of year

Parents may seek a place for their child outside of their normal age group, for example, if the child is gifted and talented or has experienced problems such as ill health.

Summer born children

In addition, the parents of a summer born child may choose not to send their child to school until the September following their fifth birthday and may request they are admitted outside of their normal year group – to Reception rather than Year 1.

The admission authority of a school must decide whether or not the individual child’s circumstances make this appropriate on educational grounds. When making a decision about a parent’s request for delayed entry to Reception, the admissions authority must:

  • Take account of a child’s individual needs and abilities and consider if these can be best met in Reception or Year 1.
  • Consider if it is in the child’s best interest to miss the Reception year and go straight to Year 1.
  • Consider what would be the impact of a child being admitted to Year 1 without having completed the Reception year.
  • (If relevant to the case) Consider if a child born prematurely would have fallen into a different age group if born at full term.

In some cases it is better for a child with a developmental delay to start school before compulsory school age so they can fully assess the support available. Schools are trained to teach children with SEN and meeting with the school’s SENCO at an early stage is the best way to discuss your child’s needs.

Request admission to a year group other than the normal point of entry

If you are requesting admission to a year group below the normal year of entry for your child, you must submit an application for the child’s actual year group before the closing date.

Delayed entry

If you wish to request to delay your child’s entry to school until the following school year you must:

  • Seek approval, in writing, from the admission authority of each of the school(s) that you wish to apply to and
  • Provide evidence from professionals working with your child as to why it is in the child’s best interest to delay admission
  • Make an application as part of the main admission round for the year group that your child would normally be admitted to school, while you wait for an outcome to your request to defer entry

If your request for a place out of year is approved

If your request to be educated out of year is approved you will not be able to apply for an 'out of year' place via the online application process – you will need to email schooladmissions@herefordshire.gov.uk to request an application.

There is a right of appeal against the refusal of a place at a school.

For details of how to appeal, see: Appeal refusal of a primary school place

Please note, if your request is approved you must seek advice from the school and school admissions regarding applying for secondary school. You will need to start this process when your child is in year 5. Not all secondary schools will accept requests for children to be educated out of year. For further information see the apply for a secondary school place out of year page.