Exceptional medical or social needs

[MaryJaneP]

Hi. I wondered if people could give examples of what this category might take into account? Both of my children are currently in different primary schools, not through our choice. My elder child is autistic and so I have to always pick her up because she gets very anxious with other people collecting her and also her understanding of road safety is less good that other kids of the same age. Therefore, my other child always has to be picked up by someone else which is also causing problems for him as it's his first year at school, altho he doesn't have SEN. Would these reasons be sufficient to argue a case for both children being put into the elder child's school?

[PatriciaHolm]

Almost certainly not I'm afraid.

the exceptional need refers to the child being appealed for, not siblings, and your youngest being unsettled at having various adults pick him up is not an exceptional need I'm afraid.

Would it be an infant class size appeal?

[MaryJaneP]

Yes, it would be. I felt that this would prob be the case but it's unfortunate as looks like they will be in diff primary schools for four years and no chance of ever getting to the top of the waiting list. Moving the eldest is not an option as she copes very badly with any change and is currently settled and doing well.

[Artbum]

I am a panellist and chair. The only ones I have been involved in that succeeded were in circumstances where the family’s lives were unimaginably awful and and for various reasons the child could only get to that school. These are very rare. I am sorry but infant class size appeals are nearly impossible to win.

[MaryJaneP]

Sorry, I;m confused. how about if it's a case of being on a waiting list and place comes free with the medical and social needs category being 2 behind looked after kids etc? What sort of things would put you in this category on a waiting list?

[meditrina]

It might count as an exceptional social need - you need to check your council's definitions, for example Hackney will include medical needs of immediate household as a social factor for the applying child.

However, if you did not apply under this category, then no mistake has been made in the allocations and it will not win you an appeal. But if you can persuade that there is exceptional social need (and the school has a criterion for that) it might bump you up to the top of the waiting list.

[PatriciaHolm]

Ah yes sorry some conflation between appeals and waiting lists!

You would need to look closely at the specific schools admissions criteria to see how the medical criteria is worded. Some will take into consideration the wider family, though most in my experience don't. The admissions criteria should also state clearly what would be needed as proof - you would need strong medical evidence that the school is the only one that can meet the needs. If you like PM me the school and I can take a look (another appeals chair here!)

[MaryJaneP]

Thanks for the offer of help @PatriciaHolm! I've taken a closer look and it does take family into account. It also states exactly what evidence is required so I will get in touch with the school/admissions authority to discuss further. Thanks again.