A local authority must apologise to a Central Bedfordshire parent for failing to make its own decision on her request to delay her summer-born child’s start at school, relying on headteachers instead.
Central Bedfordshire Council was found at fault by a local government watchdog for failing to reach its own decision on the issue.
This caused the mother frustration, distress and uncertainty, according to the local government and social care ombudsman.
She asked CBC to delay her summer-born child’s school admission for a year, said the report. “The mother wanted her child to start in the reception year in September 2026, rather than September 2025.
“The council told her that the schools’ headteachers didn’t agree to her request. She complained about how CBC handled her admission application.
“Summer-born children are born between April 1st and August 31st. These children aren’t required to start school until the September following their fifth birthday.
“Ordinarily, they would then start school in year one with their chronological year group. Parents can request their summer born children are admitted to a reception class in the September following their fifth birthday, rather than year one.
“This means they are educated outside their normal age group. The admission authority decides whether they start in reception or year one, and must set out clearly the reasons for its decision when informing a parent.
“The school admissions code is clear that it’s the admission authority that makes the decision, not headteachers. CBC confirmed to the ombudsman that its practice is for headteachers to make these decisions. It then communicates that decision to the parents.
“I find this practice isn’t in line with the code or the guidance. Our view is that councils should follow guidance, or justify why they’re departing from it. CBC hasn’t done this.”
Avoidable distress
She said the local authority applied the wrong test and failed to follow non-statutory guidance, causing unnecessary and avoidable distress, frustration, and uncertainty about her child’s future, the report explained.
“CBC said it had considered her request, but refused it. She then complained to the ombudsman. The code says admission authorities “must make decisions on the basis of the circumstances of each case and in the best interests of the child concerned”.
“CBC should have made its own decision taking account of all relevant considerations. It should also have taken into account the potential impact of admitting the child to year one, without first having completed reception.
“The council should then have given its reasons for its decision to the mother. CBC didn’t do this. I therefore find the council at fault. It believes others use this same practice of relying solely on headteachers to make admission authority decisions.
“This doesn’t change my decision,” added the report. “CBC said she later changed one of her preferred schools, and the headteacher of that school agreed to delay admission for her child.
“The council has agreed to apologise to the parent in writing, and to improve its service by reminding staff, including managers, senior officers and department heads, that it should make its own decisions, in line with the code.”
By Euan Duncan
Local Democracy Reporter
