Sibling policy when older sib is in school through EHCP

[nomorespaghetti]

My eldest has an EHCP, and is in a mainstream school that we are not in the catchment for (it’s about a mile away, but I think the catchment was around 0.7 miles the year she got in, for children without a sibling at the school).

We’d also like younger DS to go there in a couple of years - would he be classed as a sibling, in the normal way, when applying? So likely to get in as he has an older sib at the school? Or does the older child having an EHCP mess with that?!

I hope that makes sense! The thought just popped into my head! Thank you

No the EHCP doesn’t affect it. He’s a sibling regardless.

Yes, younger child will 'count' as a sibling to a child already in the scho because a big part of the priority is because it's tough to get kids to 2 places, so doesn't matter on why they are there.

Dd1 has a space in a school which for a number of boring reasons is very undersubscribed for her year, but likely to be hugely oversubscribed by dd2's time and we live about 5 miles ago. Dd2 will still be considered in the sibling category though

Agree with others. It doesn't matter how your eldest got a place. Your younger son is entitled to sibling priority.

The ehcp is not relevant, but the out of catchment may be relevant. At DS’s school children in catchment take priority over siblings out of catchment, so you’d need to check the specific school’s admission policy.

I would check the admission criteria for your school.
Most LEAs have siblings quite high but but there are some that have changed it to siblings in catchement, then other children in catchment and then siblings of non catchment

Thank you all, that’s reassuring. I’ve just had a quick look on the school website and the allocation criteria appears to be 1. Children with exceptional social/medical need; 2. Siblings; 3. Everyone else. So we should be ok🤞

As long as she is still attending the September your youngest intends to start, there is a valid siblings link.

From what you share will be sibling under criteria 2 of the admissions criteria set. You’ll be fine- unless lots of EHCPs or siblings!