Secondary application - additional reasons for preference.

[Danascully2]

I've started looking at the form for applying for secondary. For each school it has some specific questions about eg siblings, pupil premium, do we live in catchment so I've ticked or not as appropriate, easy enough. Then there is a section about 'any other reasons for preference'. Does anyone know whether we need to write something in there and if so what sort of thing might be relevant? Do we write something for each school on the list or just for our number one choice? Would whatever I write in the box for the second choice affect whether we get a place at our first choice?
I thought I was quite competent at filling in forms but this has confused me as I am just not sure what sort of thing is expected or whether it's ok to leave it blank and it's only intended for students/families with very specific circumstances eg care experienced.
Any advice welcome.

These boxes are largely meaningless. Places are allocated by admissions criteria, so only worth writing something that is relevant. For example if they prioritise children who are adopted or children with medical needs you could write in relevant details. If they don't have it in the criteria then it is not relevant.

Yes agree, it’s fine to leave it blank. If there were medical factors to mention and there was no specific space for that on the form, then you would add them here. But otherwise it’s not an issue. You will gain a place based on the admissions criteria. Make sure you put your preferences in actual order of preference, even if one is a long shot. And include a banker – a local school you are sure of a place at.

Leave it blank, it's more for saying something like "medical forms attached".

Thank you very much, that's helpful. Yes I felt the specifics such as our address and any specific extra criteria the schools have (eg one of our local ones has a church attendance form) were the key thing but I was just confused to be confronted by an extra free form box I wasn't expecting...

I imagine that, something like a level site for access would be worth adding, if a child used a wheelchair for example and wouldn’t be able to use stairs. Otherwise, I agree, there isn’t a benefit.

Hmm thank you, he does actually have a condition that may be relevant to our choice and isn't documented elsewhere in the application process as far as I know (no EHCP). I have multiple documents with the diagnosis in writing. My only concern is that it might sound worse on paper than it is in day to day classroom life so could it put the school off offering a place if they think he would need more support than he actually does? It's something the school might well not have encountered before.

I could argue it would make either of our top two schools most suitable. If I wrote about it for both schools 1 and 2 then is it possible they might decide school 2 is most suitable and not give us a place that we would otherwise have got at school 1?
He is quite likely to get a place at school 1 anyway so I'm not sure whether to leave well alone...
I know it's tricky for anyone to advise without stating more about the condition but it is rare and difficult to describe without very identifying details. I might have a chat with his school too.

Comment(and evidence to back up) is only relevant if it might change the admissions priority the application is considered under .

It doesn’t work like that thank goodness.

The example of a wheelchair user was also in my mind actually; but surely that student would have an EHCP and it would name the suitable school? It’s a big issue as so many schools have stairs and no lifts, so if you found one which was accessible it would be important.

But if your DS has a medical condition that does not warrant an EHCP, the school would not (cannot) be put off taking him. The decision of which school your DS is allocated is made by the admissions authority (often the LA) using a computer algorithm and following the admissions criteria - usually LAC, sometimes siblings then distance from school.

Similarly no one will decide school 2 is better for you if you have qualified for a place at school 1.

Tbh what I would do is leave that box blank and then when your DS gets his place, contact the school to explain the condition and clarify what support he may or may not need.

Thank you, I don't think it would but I will have another look at the criteria, at least for the top two schools.

Thank you Clary that's really helpful, yes I will definitely need to talk to the school he ends up going to as although he doesn't need lots of support (hence no ehcp) there will definitely be a few things they need to make minor reasonable adjustments for. Yes maybe I will just leave it blank...

Actually any school (and my kids school did) accommodate a wheelchair user. Even if it means a timetabling nightmare as all their lessons have to be in ground floor class rooms (or in my kids school a very limited number accessible by lift).

That box is there for parent but is totally ignored.
The only use I can think of is twins or other multiple births for primary. And if you go to appeal it doesn't matter that you've left that box blank.

What a weird set up to have a box that is generally ignored...

"2.1 Local authorities must provide a common application form (CAF) that enables parents to express their preference for a place at any state funded school, with a minimum of 3 preferences in rank order, allowing them to give reasons for their preferences." assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/60ebfeb08fa8f50c76838685/School_admissions_code_2021.pdf

They have to give you an opportunity to state a reason. However, the admissions authority can only use the published criteria for making decisions, so it becomes a bit redundant.

Thank you, I can see how it could have arisen, it is definitely confusing though.

Yes, it is a bit of a hangover from the past, but it is occasionally useful if there is information that is relevant and needs to be stressed.

So worth including things like the use of a wheelchair (especially if there is no EHCP), or to confirm in the main body of the form when and two whom information supporting applications under exceptional health/social need were submitted, or something like "elder sibling was allocated this school as it was the only one with a vacancy when we moved to the area. You agreed that the younger sibling would be treated as an in-catchment sibling, despite address, email from Ms X on date Y confirms this"

Thank you everyone, I've got it submitted now, it's a relief to have it out of the way.