School admissions and medical/social needs

[MalinoisMoxie]

DS is in year 6, so we're in the middle of secondary open evening tours. We're not thrilled with yr11 DDs school and looking elsewhere for DS, so we will have no sibling element to add to his application.

One school we both like massively is a very oversubscribed, Catholic, boys only school.

DS is not baptised, so lower down the admissions criteria.

He is autistic (with a diagnosis) and we all think a boys only environment would help him flourish.

Is this something I can use under social criteria to help his chances of getting in?

Usually, medical and social criteria are for exceptional circumstances that make the particular school essential for the child. A diagnosis of ASD is not likely to be considered exceptional. How is he doing in school, generally?

Out of interest, why do you think he would flourish in an all boys school? Research shows that boys do better with girls, and the ASD boys I know have often preferred and benefitted being around girls as they're 'often' more predictable, social and better behaved. I'm not sure that argument would hold up on its own unless you can find evidence to the contrary?

Are there any specific clubs/ subjects that the boys school offers that would benefit your child?

Have you checked about attending church as an admission policy? Some religious schools ask you to attend church, which needs confirming by the priest/vicar and can be for a year or two before application. Worth looking at.

All you can do is apply for the schools you like and see if you get in. Then appeal if you don't, then go on their waiting list.

What else can you do?

You could try to argue that the robust structure and unwavering rule system of Catholic teaching would better fulfil his need for structure, routine and black-and-white expectations than the other schools in the area.

But as others have said, it's a long shot.