Head teacher refusing to sign in year admission form - what next?

[CassandraKumquat]

DS has unhappy at school for the past two years due to a very turbulent friendship with a very troubled child who seems to have this grip on him. We have been in for meetings with the teachers and head, encouraged other friendships, helped him learn how to deal with difficult social situations, etc. Nothing has changed. At the end of the school year he finally broke down and asked if he could change schools and we agreed that this would be for the best. He hasn't fully relaxed over the summer, he's so anxious about having to return to school.

We filled in the CMA form for the LA and forwarded it to the head. Head is saying he diagrees that this is in DS's best interests, there's more than can be done, can we arrange more meetings, etc.
So my question is - what next?

I've read on here that the LA is potentially breaking the admissions code by asking for the head's 'permission'. I'm going to ring the LA and I'm expecting them to say that this is their own policy - so what next? I just want to be prepared and know our rights.
Any help would be much appreciated!

it depends on the L A
Fair enough was just basing my answer on the form filled in for my LA

discriminating against children
As above, I had an issue on my form re punctuality(although the school eventually removed their comment about this). When I rang the LA prior to submitting the form they told me such things hold up the process because it can be a further sign of underlying issues that influence whether the new school can offer a place.

Im not implying one thing or another with regards to whats the right thing for them to do just sharing the experience I had and the info I was given during the process.

If they are doing this it is a clear breach of the Admissions Code.

Maybe they are. But I know strongly suspect schools do this all the time.

If anybody believes that local head teachers do not talk to each other about potential moves of school then they are not living in the real world.
There is nothing wrong in my opinion in that at all. Local to me it happens and the head of the school the parent wants to move to will speak to the parent and strongly advise that they discuss the reasons for the move with the current head teacher. Having done that then if there is an appropriate place available and the parents still want the move then they will ensure there is a smooth transit to the new school.
I totally agree with PRH that there are too many LAs who have introduced systems that are seemingly designed to stop parents trying to change schools, which is against the admission guidance.