Education Quandary

'We are looking at nurseries for our daughter. People say that her June birthday will be a disadvantage. Why?'

Hilary's advice

Hilary's advice

Ah. Other parents. Now that your daughter is growing up you will hear a lot about education from other parents. Bear in mind that some of it will be right, some half-right, and some wrong.

In this case, the information is half-right. Summer-born children are at a disadvantage in school. But whether this is a big one, or a small one, will depend on other things: your daughter's character, her pre-school experience, how her school is organised, and how good her teacher is.

Why the disadvantage? Think about it. Strapping Sarah turns five in September. Shrinking Sadie's birthday isn't until July. By the time Sadie hits five, Sarah is nearly six. In every way - physically, emotionally and intellectually - she may be streets ahead. Yet these two girls will be in the same year group, tackling the same work, at the same time.

Summer-born children get behind in maths, reading and writing, and tend to stay that way - they do slightly less well at GCSE. They also suffer more mental-health problems. When Professor Robert Goodman, of the Institute of Psychiatry, surveyed 10,000 children aged five to 15, he found the younger ones had higher rates of stress, anxiety and behavioural disorders.

So what can you do? Legally you don't have to have your daughter in school until the term after she is five, so you might want delay her school start until September. But, since many schools offer places to children before they turn five, and since schools do not like to have empty places, a popular school may not let you do that. You may also not want her to miss out on joining in a reception class.

Only you will know what is right to do. But if your daughter ends up as one of the youngest in the class, you must press for her teacher to take that into account, and to help her develop at her own pace.

Readers' advice

I have three sons, born August, November and June. The biggest difference between them resulting from their schooling has been their social-class aspirations. The older two went to the same schools; the youngest one, June-born, went to an ex-grant maintained school. His brothers were happy to apply for university but felt Oxbridge was "too posh". He needed no encouragement to apply to Cambridge and has settled in well. So, go for the school closest to the social ambitions that you have for your child.
Hilary Chivall, Peterborough

I have children born in August and July. The eldest has graduated from Cambridge, and the second is just completing his first year there. It was not the academic challenges that they needed to overcome but the social and physical ones. Being physically the smallest meant they were liable to be picked on. Emotionally, too, they were often not at the same level as the others. But our third child, May-born, is having a successful school career.
Jeanette Appleton, Wirral

My brother and I both have June birthdays, and neither of us has ever had any academic problems. It is very dependent on the child and the attitude of the parents and school.
Anneliese Bridges, London W7

Next quandary

My son has not been offered a place at any secondary school we want him to go to. Getting a good secondary school place is becoming a nightmare for many families. Yet I don't see the politicians saying anything about it. Why isn't it more of an election issue?

Send your letters or quandaries to Hilary Wilce, to reach her by next Monday, 25 April, at The Independent, Education Desk, Independent House, 191 Marsh Wall, London E14 9RS; or fax 020-7005 2143; or send e-mails to h.wilce@btinternet.com. Please include details of your postal address. Readers whose letters are printed will receive a Berol Combi Pack of a cartridge pen, handwriting pen and ink eraser