Deferring or delaying primary school for your twins

Starting primary school later: deferring and delaying explained

Starting primary school can feel like a huge step for any child. If you’re parenting twins, triplets or more, you might also be weighing up different needs in children who are the same age.

In some situations, you might want to think about whether it’s right to defer or delay your child’s start at school, or choose part-time attendance.

Deferring means your child doesn’t start Reception in September with their usual year group. Instead, they start when they reach compulsory school age (CSA), which is the start of the term after their fifth birthday. The latest a child can be deferred is the start of the summer term in their usual school year.

Part-time attendance is possible until your child reaches CSA.

Delaying means starting your child a full school year later. You’ll need to request that they start in Reception, rather than Year 1, when they reach CSA. This option is only available for children born between 1 April and 31 August. These are often called ‘summer born’ children.

It’s important to read the government guidance for both local authorities and parents about admissions for ‘summer born’ children.

When a later start might be worth considering

There isn’t one ‘right’ age to be ready for school routines. Some children take change in their stride. Others need longer to feel secure with separation, tiredness or busy environments.

A later start may be something to explore if your children have had a tougher start or are developing at their own pace. This can be especially relevant for families with twins, triplets or more, as multiples are more likely to be born early, have a low birth weight or need more time with some milestones.

You might consider deferring or delaying if your children:

• were born prematurely or with low birth weight
• have significant health needs
• were born between April and August
• have delays with walking, talking or fine motor skills
• show signs they’re not ready for the demands of a full school day

Who can help you decide what’s best

A good starting point is speaking to people who see your children regularly in a setting, such as nursery or preschool staff. They can share what they notice about your child’s confidence, communication, friendships and independence. Do be aware that guidance on deferring or delaying a school start can be complex and pre-school staff, teachers and even head teachers might not always have the most up-to-date information. It’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the law and the relevant guidance, so you feel confident about your options.

If your child has medical or health challenges, gather any information you already have from professionals involved in their care. You don’t need to present a perfect ‘case’, but it helps to explain clearly what support your child needs and why more time could make school easier.

If one of your children feels ready and another doesn’t, you might feel pulled in two directions. In that situation, ask the school about a phased start, where children begin with shorter days and build up to full-time hours. For some families, this offers a gentler transition without changing the year group. Your child can attend school part-time until they reach compulsory school age (CSA).

What it can mean later: year group, curriculum and applications

If you decide to start your child at school one or two terms later, or a whole year later, you’re entitled to claim early years funding until they reach compulsory school age. This is the start of the term after their fifth birthday.

If you defer to a later term within the same school year, your child will have less time in Reception before moving into Year 1 with their age group. That means they’ll miss some of the Early Years curriculum. They’ll also have less time to settle into classroom routines. Some families support this at home, and nurseries may be able to help too. It’s worth planning ahead for the transition.

Delaying a school start for a full year means your summer-born children won’t miss any school. For many families, that can feel like a better option. To get approval for a Reception start at compulsory school age, you’ll need to make a formal request to the admissions authority for each school you’re considering. Depending on the school, this may be your local authority, the governing body or the academy trust. Your local authority should be able to explain the right process.

If you decide to delay your child’s start, it’s important to apply for a school place by the usual deadline for their age group, even if you hope they won’t start that year. Once you have approval for a Reception start at compulsory school age, you can withdraw your application and reapply the following year. Our professional volunteers can support you with this process. (LINK)

A supportive way to make the decision

This can feel like a high-pressure choice, especially if you’re hearing mixed opinions. Try to come back to what will help your child feel safe, confident and ready to learn.

Whatever you decide, it’s not about ‘holding them back’ or ‘pushing them in’. It’s about choosing the best start for your child, based on what you’re seeing now. If you’d like support while you weigh things up, Twins Trust’s helpline (LINK) is there for you, as well as our Professional Advice Service (LINK).