School Starting Age - St. Lukes School PTA - Submissions - 17 March 2016

1

I am happy with the current age that children start primary school 12

2 I feel it should be older 9

3 I feel it should be younger 2

4 Whatever age curriculum, teaching and resources should be appropriate to ensure high quality learning

5

5 Whatever age it is important there is a partnership between home and school to ensure

child emotionally supported 1

Other comments

My child was 4 and not ready yet

At just 4 no way was my child ready. I asked if he could start later and was told 'no'

My child was more than ready

My child was beginning to get bored at nursery and needed extra stimulation

They should start at 6

In Ireland they start later and it is much better

In Scotland too. I think 4 is just too young

In New Zealand they start when they are 5. If they are 5 on Friday they start on Monday so it is staggered all through the year. Some of these little tots just aren't ready for a rigorous curriculum.

I was brought up in South Africa and we went to play school until we were 8 and only till midday. It was great. When we went to school there was no uniform and you only moved up to the next year / level when you were ready it wasn't an automatic age thing. Much better I think as all children progress at different stages.

I've heard the Swedish model is very successful

We lived in Germany for a while and my brother who was seven went back to kindergarten after two years of schooling here. He loved it and is now a Trust Company Director so it didn't do him any harm

In Germany they start late but go on until they are 18

We expect too much of them at too young an age. Some are ready but some aren't

Not sure why this is even being debated. It's fine the way it is.