PRIMARY PRIMARY YEARS YEARS NEW wint chec er klist
5 10 to
years old
Your winter checklist for the primary years If your child’s birthday is on or between 1 April and 31 August and you live in England then they could start school a year later if you think it would be best for them. A delay in starting school could give your child the chance to develop the language, communication and social skills they’ll need to make the most of the opportunities school offers. Find out more at www.ndcs.org.uk/summerborn.
department stating what benefits Alfie would gain by holding back for a year. The couple wrote that if Alfie started school in the year he was meant to he’d only be three and wouldn’t have the stamina. They’d read a National Deaf Children’s Society article explaining how the extra effort to listen all day was tiring for deaf children, so this would make matters even worse at his young age. The school agreed to it and their Teacher of the Deaf wrote to the admissions department showing her support for the couple’s decision, which is one of the requirements for low-flyer status. They’ve never looked back. “It was an easy decision,” says Melissa. “The extra year at home paid off brilliantly. Instead of school, Alfie had five mornings a week of preschool where they had a fantastic leader who taught phonics to them. “When Alfie started school he hit the ground running; he was equal with the other children. If he’d started the previous year he’d have struggled and wouldn’t have had the same confidence or social skills. He loves the fact that he’s the oldest!” “It affects Alfie’s Now aged nine, Alfie’s grades are on a par with his classmates. He’s a little whole life, his future, behind on the regular language tests the for the better.” Teacher of the Deaf carries out, but the gap is closing. And he likes reading books to his younger brother Casper (2). “So many parents don’t know about deferring a year or of low-flyer status. But you hear about summer babies not getting as good results as other children, and that’s without the added challenge of being deaf,” says Melissa. “The ironic thing is had Alfie been born just 12 hours later than he was (and in fact he was a week early), he’d have started the following year anyway!” “It was a big decision to make but an easy one,” says Mark. “It was the right thing to do. It affects Alfie’s whole life, his future, for the better.” www.ndcs.org.uk/livechat • 0808 800 8880
Communicating in the car If you’re going on a long car journey over the holidays, have a look at our information on products and apps that could be helpful. www.ndcs.org. uk/communicatingincar
Is your child starting secondary school soon? If your child starts secondary school in September and has, or is getting, an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, this must be reviewed, amended and finalised for children transferring between phases of education by 15 February. This allows time to appeal the plan (and school placement) if necessary. Download our factsheet Annual Reviews of Statements of Special Educational Needs Plus Transition Plans (England and Wales) for more information.
Missing school for medical appointments Deaf children often have to miss school for audiology or other medical appointments that can’t be booked outside of school hours. We have information about how these absences should be recorded and how schools should make reasonable adjustments so your child isn’t disadvantaged in attendance award schemes. Have a look at www.ndcs. org.uk/absence.
www.ndcs.org.uk/5-10 NDCS Families • Winter 2016
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