Younger student ‘mistaken to be less intelligent’
August-born children are being mistaken as incompetent in comparison to their peers, an expert has suggested.
The Good Schools Guide has spoken out following a report from the Institute for Fiscal Studies which suggested that the month of birth has a significant effect on academic ability.
'Does when you are born matter? The impact of month of birth on children's cognitive and non-cognitive skills in England' showed that students born in the eighth month of the year are more likely to fall behind in their studies.
The Good Schools Guide stated that the age gap between peers is a factor often overlooked by teachers and that the birth month is not an immediate indicator of ability.
Janette Wallis, senior editor of the Good Schools Guide, a school search and information site for parents and professionals, said: "The fact that they are younger and not as mature is being confused with perhaps being less able.
"They begin their school career with teachers perhaps thinking they are incapable."
She added that teachers and parents should keep on top of educational needs and help students who may struggle.
Researchers at the Institute for Fiscal Studies compared when children were born with their academic ability and found that younger pupils often fall behind their peers.
