Is this "special needs" enough?

[MrsSnape]

We currently live in the catchment area of all the worst schools in the city.
I have no realistic chance of moving before DS1 starts secondary school but he has his heart set on an over-subscribed school OUT of the catchment area and so realistically he has no chance of getting in...

But then I realised that schools have to give priority to children with "special needs", my son is dyspraxic and has extra help at school (action + or something?) and has been described as having special needs but he has no formal diagnosis or a specific condition or anything...I know it sounds awful but is this "special needs enough" to get him into this specific school or by "special needs" do they mean something else?

[stripeymama]

Would presume it means statemented?

[MeMySonAndI]

Do they give priority to children with Special Needs in their catchment area? TBH I have no idea, perhaps a ring to the school or the council education office may give you a clearer idea of where do they draw the line with dyspraxia?

[marmadukescarlet]

But Dyspraxia IS a Special Educational Need.

Also does he 'have dyspraxic tendencies' or 'have dyspraxia'? The latter of which would have had to be DXd by an Ed Psych or OT or poss a Paed.

[SixSpotBurnet]

AFAIK he would have to have a statement, not just a dx.

[ellingwoman]

Don't you have to provide evidence as to why the school would best cater for his needs?

[hippipotami]

Ditto, he would need a statement of special educational needs.
If he has that, then you could be given priority.

[susiecutiebananas]

I would have thought the only real way to find out is to ask. Give them, or LEA a call. I'm guessig he has been diagnosed for you to know? Might as well ask, the worst they can say is no, after all

[Sidge]

As far as I know you need a Statement of SEN where the LEA has listed that particular school as being necessary to provide for your child's educational needs to be placed there out of catchment.

(Sorry that's a bit wordy, hope you get the gist).

[sweetgrapes]

You would need a statement and there has to be a reason why that school is suited for his special need. Just the presence of a special need doesn't mean that you can get in whereever you want. There has to be a logic behind it.