Sending Daughter to a different high school

[Kelhammasi]

Hello!
my son is in high school! He has ASD/ADHD and on EHCP. We are applying for daughter who will start high school next year. We would prefer for her to attend a different school but all outside catchment area.

Reason being that son is fixed on her not attending same school and this is distressing to him. He has social skill needs and can become fixated on this. They attended some activities together which was not helpful to either of them as he only follows her around and bothers her. I can almost see that it will be a challenging transition to both. His school is supportive and normally would like for her to attend same school.

unfortunately, other schools are outside of catchment area.

i will include medical letters, EHCP and some communication from school on his social skills but non includes description of the issues with sister. Would this help the application?! Anything else we need to include that may support the application?! thank you

If the schools you are applying to for your DD are state schools, then the only criteria which will be used by each to rank her against other applicants are those listed in its published admissions policy for the year that she will enter year 7 (I assume next September? So you need to look at the one for 2025/2026). Also look at the statistics for recent years with regard to the last offer made.

The School Standards and Framework Act gives parents the right to state on their CAF any reason they have for wanting a place at a school, but only reasons relevant to an oversubscription criterion can break taken into account. So in the freehand section, you can explain about the situation with DS, but this will only be relevant if the school has an 'exceptional medical / social reason' criterion. In that case, you must submit written support from the / a professional involved. However, 'negative' reasons would presumably, be the same for all of your preferences, and usually the requirement is for a positive 'why this school above all others is suitable.'

Be aware, that if your DD cannot be offered a place at any of your CAF preferences, your LA will allocate a place at the nearest of its schools which has a place remaining when all on time preferences have been met. The usual warning is that this could ba a school miles away that one really doesn't want - but it coukd equally be the school that your DS is at, if it happens to be your nearest undersubscribed school next year.

@MarchingFrogs has given great advice. Also tagging @prh47bridge as they are very knowledgeable about applications and appeals.

Are catchment areas strictly applied where you live? In your view is there basically no chance of your DD being offered a different school from the one your DS attends?

If it is so important that your DD attends a a different school that you would send her to unpopular school nearby that is often undersubscribed? Is there such a school?

I admit to being no expert, but would suggest you complete the CAF, adding the additional information as @MarchingFrogs has suggested, and making sure to include your DS's school on your DD's CAF if it is truly the only 'banker' school available (but you can make it the bottom choice on your list!)

If your DD is offered DS's school, you will need to go to appeal. The challenge there is that appeals are usually awarded on the basis of why a particular school is the only school that can meet the child's need - which isn't really your argument. It is worth looking to see if there is anything that your DD is passionate about that is only offered in a particular school. Appeals experts such as @prh47bridge will be able to advise you best.

Not an expert but I suspect your problem will be that you are looking for a place for your DD. All of the issues you mention relate to your DS, and I can't see a panel moving a child to accommodate a different child. You have far more leverage to move your DS given he has an EHCP and you can name the school.

What's the best school for your DD? And how big is your DS's high school and what year gap is there between them?

Find the best school for your DD that you can afford.
Your son's troubles should not impose on her education, needlessly.
They will not be in the same class. They will not share friends.

It might be that she travels separately - on the bus - or something.
Opt for her uniform to be different looking to his, even the same school has a variety of choices.

Have you looked at Catholic schools?

I agree with @MarchingFrogs who has given excellent advice.

If any of the schools you want has a category for special medical/social needs, they may take the negative impact on your daughter from being allocated the same school as her brother into account and prioritise here, but there are no guarantees.

If you need to appeal, you can make a case around your daughter needing to be at a different school to her brother, but you should also identify other things that the appeal school offers that are relevant to her in order to bolster your case.

This, do you mean your son doesn't want her to go to his school?
What does dd think? Does she know this is your plan? Will you be separating her from her friends and giving her a long commute?

Totally agree with this. You owe it to your daughter to pick the best school for her, that suits her and which meets her educational and social needs.

I agree with the last messages, you shouldn’t disadvantage your DD in the process.

Thank you I appreciate all your replies. Very informative and highlighted the gap in school admission knowledge. Very much appreciated.

Well that is part of it. She does not wish to join same school as DS. She would like to attend a different school which is a same walking distance away. It has a better academic performance. DD is more academic.