SCHOOL STARTING AGE FOR SUMMER-BORN PUPILS

Early day motion 213, tabled 10 June 2013 by Annette Brooke (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 24 members.

That this House notes with concern the robust and consistent evidence from around the world on birth date effects, which in England shows that summer-born children can suffer long-term disadvantages as a result of England's inflexible school starting age; believes that the Government should ensure that parents of summer-born children are able to exercise their right to defer their child's school start up until the statutory school start time, if that is their choice, without losing a place offered at the school of their choice for the September after their child's fourth birthday because of funding issues; and calls on the Government to ensure that parents also have the choice of placing their child in a school reception class, rather than Year 1, at statutory school age, that is the September following their fifth birthday.

Signatures by party: Labour 10, Liberal Democrat 8, Conservative 3, Alliance 1, Green 1, Independent 1.