Applying for a school in Brighton & Hove without an EHCP
Are you choosing a school without an EHCP? Are you thinking about using ‘compelling medical or other exceptional reasons’ to make the case for getting your preferred school?
If there are ‘compelling medical or other exceptional reasons’ why a particular community school is the only suitable setting for your child, you can state this in your application, together with evidence to support your reasons. This is priority 2 from Brighton & Hove’s admissions criteria.
Helpfully, Brighton’s admissions team has published some detailed guidance about priority 2 on their website, with specific examples of applications that were both successful and unsuccessful. These case studies include applications for children with autism, dyslexia, mobility issues, diabetes and fibromyalgia. They illustrate how decisions depend not just on what additional needs a child has, but whether there are strong reasons for needing to go to that specific school. There’s also guidance on the kind of evidence required to support a successful priority 2 application and the professionals they would expect to provide it. See Priority 2: Compelling medical or other exceptional reasons to attend the school guidance
Check the guidance
Do you have the evidence you need in existing paperwork from consultants, your GP, your child’s SENCO, etc.? If not, think about the gaps in your evidence and start gathering it. Make appointments or remember to raise the issues in upcoming appointments that are already booked.
Remember this priority 2 applies to community schools in Brighton & Hove. Church voluntary aided, academy and free schools use their own rules so you will need to check their individual admission priorities – though many of them also have a similar priority 2.
What about East Sussex?
In East Sussex, schools all have their own admissions criteria. Some of them include “Children who need a place on exceptional and compelling social, psychological or medical grounds. Evidence must be provided.” Some don’t. East Sussex families should check individual school admissions policies. The Brighton & Hove information may still be helpful in thinking about the evidence to collect and submit.
For further information about admissions, see our web page on Choosing a school for child with SEND.
