what medical reasons will help child get into school?

[krisskross]

we are applying for primary next year.

our nearest non religious school is 0.44 miles away but this year the catchment was only 0.28 miles away.

it is very well known locally that people are 'playing the game' to get into this school- lying about where they live etc.

(the catchment is 0.28 miles, the school is in a suburb on the edge of north london, adjacent to a cemetary, cricket ground, church etc and it NOT a densely poplulated area in anyway).

So, we are pretty sure we will not get into our local school. The alternatives are a drive away- could not be walked to and not on bus routes.

A friend mentioned that we could get in on medical reasons. Our son has hypermobility, occasionally goes for physio and have been told he needs regular exercise as part of daily routine to ensure his muscles get and remain strong. So- walking ten min to and from school would obviously be v. good for him. Is this a valid reason?

Does anyone have experience of this. Thanks.

I dont know specifically about admissions prodecures, but it could easily be argued that if you were allocated a school that was a drive away that you could park far enough away from it to have a walk.

Is the school not concerned about people lying to get in?

i've heard on grapevine that the school are v. hacked off about it but the L.A are not bothered about looking into it- and with spending cuts will be doing it less so.

i get your point about driving- but that is a bit silly to drive to ten min away then walk. i have to work too!

if your son has a statement of special educational needs then that is considered a priority.

BUT it is doubtful that you would get a SEN for hypermobility of he has no educational needs.

and if it hadn't occured to you to ask for a statement for any other reason than to get him into your preferred school then i see it as no different to those who are "playing the game"

as i understand it, other medical needs also apply, as well as SEN. I wouldnt dream of asking for a statement for this condition.

Our local primary is extrememly popular and always oversubscribed. We had to provide a domestic bill and child benefit book as proof of address.

I drive 20 minutes then park the car and walk. I work too.

if the school is independant then they will have their own admissions procedures. if it is a state school then your LEA website should list the criteria

I posted a chunk from the School Admissions Code relating to social/medical needs on another thread this evening, about parents wiwtwh disabilities - it should be easy to find.

Social/medical needs applications are considered by a panel made up of health and other professionals, not by the school or the LEA admissions team. To be admitted under this criterion, you would need clear evidence from a health care professional, testifying that your preferred school was the only suitable for your son or able to cater for his needs (or that there were only a small number of suitable schools).

Frankly, I am puzzled by the way you have described those needs here. You say your son needs regular exercise. The foundation stage at school provides that for everyone. You would need something from a health care professional that said that the ten minute walk to school was an essential part of your son's day - but wouldn't he get almost as much walking time at any other school, by the time you'd walked to and from the car?

Most LEAs have checks - electoral roll, need to present utility bills etc - to prevent fraud. If your LEA does not do this, perhaps you should raise it with your local councillor.

Forgive the typos. Am tired. Here's the other thread.

I suspect that you will not get anywhere with this as a medical condition that means they have to go to this school. The LA will argue exactly what others have said, you can go to another school and walk around the block to get the necessary exercise.
If the situation was that your son could only walk for ten minutes now that may be considered appropriate with good medical evidence.