I have seen first hand how the youngest children in the class are often among the most behind. Some clearly aren’t as mature as the others.
That’s why I was not surprised to read that children born in the summer may need more help to come up to the same academic standard as their older classmates.
Children born at the start of the academic year achieve better exam results, on average, than children born at the end of the academic year.
This matters because educational attainment has long-term consequences for a range of adult outcomes. But it is not only educational attainment that has long-lasting effects: other skills and behaviours affect adult outcomes too, and can also matter for children’s current wellbeing.
In line with previous research, our report shows that there are large and significant differences between August- and September-born children in terms of their cognitive skills, whether measured using national achievement tests or alternative indicators such as the British Ability Scales; these gaps are particularly pronounced when using teacher reports of children’s performance.
Those born in August are also significantly more likely to take vocational qualifications after leaving compulsory schooling and slightly less likely to attend a Russell Group university.
I was one of the youngest in my class and really struggled to keep in touch with my classmates. I was slow to mature, and in hindsight I probably should have stayed down a year to maximise my academic potential.
Having said that, I believe that parents can get fixated with their children being among the youngest and can use it as an excuse. This then filters down to the child who rationalises their performance by making the same excuse.
Topical Teaching 