Advice for blind mum and primary admissions

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My wife is registered blind and walks slowly with a white cane. Our daughter is in a nearby pre-school and we desperately want her to stay at this school into reception because then my wife can drop her off and pick up safely, which might not be the case at another school. At another school the journey could easily jump from 10-15 mins each way to 40-50 mins each way because she walks so slowly and even public transport takes forever for her.

We were sure we were in the favoured school's catchment area, but have just found out they are cutting the number of classes next year, and we are worried we might be outside now - even though we're not that far at all. It is our closest school, apart from a CoE primary, which says it only takes children whose parents go to a particular church, which we don't.

The school's admissions website says it takes into account the needs of the parent as well as the pupil, so we've asked her doctor and social services for a letter of support. They've agreed but basically want us to write the letter for them.

Does anyone know what this letter should say? My wife has been hassling social services for ages and they've only just got back to us, expecting us to know how the system works.

We've drafted a letter that explains what I've said above, but we don't know whether that's the sort of thing that carries enough weight.

We'd be really grateful for any advice as we only have a few weeks left to apply.

Share the draft and perhaps we can help?

The main thing is the letter need to say 'in our opinion' … 'child needs to attend X school' and not 'the family inform me that'.

The letter should be from the medical professionals point of view, naming the school and the reasons why.

It must not be your point of view or say the parents believe xyz. It must be as If the doctor/other wrote it.

Rephrase that she can collect and drop off more easily to something about improving her involvement in her childs education, being involved in the life of the school. That her medical condition can lead to isolation and hence she needs the named school for her physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.
Would she be supported by the local community? How long does it take her to walk to the nearest school. Doctor needs to evidence how her blindness impacts on her life and link that to this school

Add in the social services that this school allows social interaction with her peers who already know the barriers at home. If other parents support her please evidence this. This could be sleep overs, offering back up collection/ drop off help, etc.

Consider parents evening, collection from school if your child is ill. What restrictions apply if she goes to another school? Consider pta involvement, celebration assemblies and workshops. How can she be involved if further away.

The posts above are totally correct in saying that any letter from doctor etc needs to start with "in my professional opinion".
I would however want to start to help you and your wife by saying are you absolutely sure that the school and the admission authority will take any medical evidence into consideration. Is it absolutely part of the admission criteria because if not then it is a hollow promise that consideration will be given.
I am also concerned by your comments that the school is cutting the number of classes this next year. Unless the school has gone through a very specific process to reduce their Planned Admission Number (PAN) then they have to take as a minimum the number specified by the PAN.
If you send me a PM with the name of the preferred school then I will check out exactly what is entailed in the admission criteria of your preferred school and the number of pupils that have to be admitted so at least you are starting from a firm basis and not from what might or might not be correct.

Ring the rnib
03031239999
Ask them for help
Contact your local blind society see what they can suggest
Get your wife mobility training with guide dogs
Get your daughter train up as he guide .again with guide dogs

I've written a few of these, does your wife have an Optometrist?

I tend to start off with the eye condition, how long they've had it, mention if it's treatable, then mention the admissions code and the relevance, how the condition will affect your wife in relation to school, how it would potentially affect your child.

This is a letter I sent for a patient last year: NB It's always worth finding out the name of the person who you're sending the letter to.

Dear Ms XX

I am writing to you in relation of the school application of Miss XXX.I understand that under point X of the admissions code for your school, parental health conditions are considered in determining whether a child should be admitted to the school.

Miss XXX’s mother Mrs XXX has an eye condition called retinitis pigmentosa, this was diagnosed in 2009 and is untreatable and gets worse progressively. The condition causes Mrs XXX to have very poor peripheral vision, (the vision that you use to navigate around), so she needs to use a white cane to be able to walk around. It also means that she needs to take extra care to not bump into people and things, so her walking speed is very slow, around ¼ of the speed of most adults her age. She is unable to hold a driving licence due to her poor vision. Her vision is also exceptionally poor in low light conditions, she rarely ventures outside in the dark.

Due to her poor vision, especially in the dark, her slow walking speed and inability to hold a driving licence she needs a school within easy and close walking distance to her home. Punctually is very important to her, as is her ability to help and be present at the school if needed. Given that the other schools in the borough require longer bus journeys, her ability to bring Miss XXX to school regularly and punctually and also support her in school events would be severely affected if Miss XXX was allocated another school.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you need any further clarification.

Yours Sincerely,