This service allows Private Schools/ECC's to request placement of a student in a lower year group in exceptional circumstances. Students are normally expected to remain in their age-appropriate year group with the right support in place. Requests will only be considered where current evidence shows demotion is necessary, proportionate and in the student’s best interests.

• Private Schools
• Early Childhood Centers

No fees

3 working days for academic cases
15 working days for medical cases

• KHDA Portal
• Email

1. School/ECC letter (signed by the Principal) — rationale to support the application and parents’ consent letter.
2. Last School/ECC report card with attainment levels across all subjects.
3. Medical report (psychological assessment, developmental assessment, specialist report, etc.).
4. School/ECC summary of the student’s social and emotional wellbeing (behaviour, social skills, etc.), with supporting documents and the IEP.
5. Standardised Assessments (CAT/MAP — teachers’ version).
6. Transition plan: how the student will be supported in the new year group, when progress will be reviewed, and how success will be measured.
7. Risk assessment.

1. The student must be registered in the KHDA system.
2. The school/ECC must have already implemented and reviewed targeted support and intervention within the age-appropriate year group.
3. The request must be evidence-based, with written parental consent, and linked to the student’s wellbeing, learning and best interests.
4. Where the rationale involves wellbeing, safeguarding, behaviour or significant vulnerability, a current risk assessment must be submitted.
5. Requests based on low attainment, English language acquisition, curriculum gaps, behaviour or parental preference alone will not meet the threshold.

• Step 1: The School/ECC submits the student demotion request available service channels , attaching all required supporting documents (medical report, Individualised Support Plan, Placement test results).
• Step 2: KHDA reviews the request and supporting evidence.
• Step 3: The request is either approved or rejected, based on compliance with the relevant policies and requirements.