Applying for under exceptional medical or social need

[GoodluckJonathan76]

Does anyone have any examples of when this can be used? DS1 has additional needs at school we are currently trying to work through (ruled out autism last year through an assessment) and now thinking possible ADHD but does not have a statement and very unlikely to get one. The school has flagged up several times that they think DS1 has additional needs, is different, and we have the psychologist and psychiatrist reports from earlier this year, as well as a letter from CAMHs, which all state that he has unusual quirks/ additional needs but does not have autism. We are now picking things up again with CAMBs after the school flagged further issues this term as he moved into year 5. In the words of the SENCO, she thinks it would be a disaster if DS went to the local comprehensive (very mixed and quite rough) and there is a far better school with a better SENCO and pastoral care system further away where we think he would fare much better. The school is about 2.5 miles but is very oversubscribed (catchment is 0.5) so we don't stand a chance on distance. Do we have a chance if we rely on the exceptional medical/social ground? Interestingly, I checked the admissions policy and it doesn't have a separate category for kids with statements of special educational needs, it just goes 1) children in care, 2) children with exceptional medical or social needs, 2) children of teachers. Wonder if this will make it easier.

One of my children got a place on medical need, without an EHCP, on tne basis of a mobility disability that made it impossible for her to travel independently to a school further away.

She would have qualified on distance too, but was admitted under the higher priority criteria.

Hi
My daughter is on waiting list for another primary and i need help filling out the form. she has Anxiety which has been caused by behaviour in the current class. various issues and teacher isnt able to control class. I need to demonstrate why the school i have applied for suits her needs.
i have a letter from GP naming the school she does not have a EHCP
we are currently 1st on the waiting list but any child that joins pushes us back

thank you

@GoodluckJonathan76 there is nothing "exeptional" about your child's special educational needs. If the needs are severe enough to qualify for an EHCP that names the school, then there is a separate admissions process. If not, their needs can me met by any school.

I sit on the Exceptional Needs panel for our school and we admit very few children under that criterion - less than 1 a year. The needs of successful applicants are unique in each case, so it wouldn't be appropriate to generalise them. There has to be professional evidence that only our school can meet the need, which is a very high bar to meet.

No. Secondary children are expected to travel independently, unless there is a professionally evidenced reason why not.

Sorry, but zillions of children have anxiety. It is definitely not "exceptional" and all schools have procedures to help children manage it.

I think you would be much better off starting your own thread for advice, rather than posting on one which is 6 years old.