School application- I have a very exact question & need advice please

[Dittydotty]

Going through the joy of applying for a primary school place.

I have a complicated illness meaning I am unable to sit for car journeys of 15 mins or more (I have been excused from jury duty because of this) yet equally due to this condition I have to keep proportionately moblie and a few very short walks daily.

This means I have to get DS into our local catchment school as the next closest one is a car journey away and I won’t be able to do the 4 trips a day.

My rheumatologist, consultants, GP’s and the social worker that helped me with DS’s care for the first 2 years are all on board to support my application.

There are only 22 places available. The school is so good that last year over 1,000 people applied.

My question (if you’re still with me ) is.....do I need to outline this situation as the reasons for choosing the school or shod I leave it then throw this into the mix at appeal if we don’t get in?

Will it seem to needy if I put my medical issues on the initial application form?

I wouldn't worry about seeming to be needy. You've got a really good reason for needing DC to go to that school, and since it's so popular you might get lost in the crowd if you don't mention your special circumstances. I'd tell them and keep all fingers crossed. Good luck !

Yes definitely put it in your application

It won't hurt to put it in the special criteria category if you have one. You can still use it at appeal. You'll need a consultant's letter to go with it.

Put your reasons on the application form, and send in your medical evidence to the admission authority. Ideally the evidence should state that the school is the only school you can get your child to. If by any chance you don't get allocated and have to go to an appeal, one of the questions the panel will ask is whether the admitting authority were aware of your circumstances at the time of application.

Yes, put it in your application.

Is there a medical /social need category in the admissions criteria, including parents? If not it is unlikely to make any difference. You may need to consider using a childminder or friend to do school runs if it does not go your way.

You need to give all the relevant information for your child's application. Where I live the parents circumstances are not considered only the child's.

I think it’s the needs of the child too in the school admission criteria I have see .

I’m pretty sure the initial application only considers the schools admissions criteria inc EHCP for the child etc. Your ability to get him into school would only be looked at on appeal and if the school is oversubscribed I don’t think they take extra children in reception unless the admissions process hasn’t been applied correctly.
If you don’t get a place I think it’s more likely that the LA would provide transport if over a certain distance or you would have to arrange your own childcare to take/collect him.

Thanks for the advice so far.

There is a box where you can submit medical and/or social needs BUT when you read the ‘info/points you need to know’ the guidelines say these apply to the child only.

I have built up a strong network of parents & friends linked to the school who will help physically if I ever need them to.

Am now wondering If I need to try and say something about how DS will ‘suffer’ (?) if he doesn’t get a place there. Should I go down that avenue maybe? I’m not sure how I would word that

One of the admissions experts will be along shortly, but none of what you said makes a difference for your application at this point. There will be published admission criteria for your school (based on distance or faith, for example), and your child will be ranked according to how well they meet those criteria. Parental health is not one of those criteria, nor is ability of parents to deliver a child to school.

I don't know whether it would be taken into account at an appeal stage but there are plenty on here who will know.

No sadly Parents needs aren’t considered. So sorry but you’ll need to think of a plan B just in case

Could you speak to adult services and see if there is any help in your area for parents in your situation. It’s unlikely but worth an ask if you don’t have friends/relatives who would be able to help out long term.

My LA has medical/social reasons, but doesn't state that these apply only to the child.

And do list any realistic alternatives in your choices, otherwise you may find your dc allocated a school even less accessible for you if the first does not have a place.

I would suggest you repost this on Primary Education and get the advice of someone who fully understand the admissions process.

Contrary to what many have said on here, I don't unfortunately believe parent's needs normally get taken into account. It would be considered that you should organise a child minder (or similar) to get your child to school if you can't take them yourself.

If your next nearest school is a car journey away, you may be entitled to free transport if your child doesn't get into your local school.

I don't think this would have counted in our area tbh, yes if there are reasons that the school suits the child better but not for the parent.

Have you spoken to the admissions office in your area for clarification?

To the best of my knowledge it is the child's needs that are considered, not the those of the parents- which is stupid, as the child's needs will not be met unless they are allocated a school to which they can reliably be transported!

www.allfie.org.uk/ may be worth talking to.

With an intake of only 22 is it a private school?

I haven’t spoken with the admissions office. I will do that.

I will look at that website as well, thankyou.

It’s not a private school, no but the Head has turned it into an academy.

A bit emotional now because I worked as a childcarer for 20 years and now feel I may let DS down by not being at the pick-ups, Parents Evenings, Sports Days, spontaneous playdates etc.

I managed it for so many families but I may not for my own child. Such a failure. Sodding disease.

Have asked for this to be be moved to Primary Education x

Are there any other schools within fifteen minutes drive?

Maybe you could still do some drop offs/pick ups, perhaps afternoons , if your symptoms are better then, or a couple of times a week. Working parents equally don't do them all.

We’re so rural now, we had to go ‘off grid’ so to speak in orde to buy an affordable bungalow. Second nearest school is 20 mins away and under special measures (which actually doesn’t particularly bother me as I’m aware of the positives such as smaller classes & possibly a bit more attention to students) It literally is the commute that is putting the absolute dread into me.

You’re right, I may be able to split the journeys with others. It’s the guilt that’s eating at me I think.

We're moving this to Primary Education at OP's request.

If it is an Academy, they may do their own admissions so check that as well as the admissions at the Council if they do it centrally.

The council admissions staff have been helpful when I've spoken to them.