Mental Illness parent. can this assist in admission chance to popular school?

HappySad

Do you suffer from a mental illness? I am servere bi polar and see psychiatries regularly & on medication.

Has anyone been able to use their mental illness to assist in the schools admissions process? How have you been able to do this?

boobless

hi happysad

this process very much depends on the age and ability of the child

i.e is this the first entrance to secondary education or do you just want them to change schools.

if this is your 1st application to year 7, apply in the normal way adding your 1st choice school and wait for decision ( local ed.auth will not accept exeptional circs until this has been done) (only sure of london boroughs)
if you do not get your choice you then appeal, go to interview with your circumstances and evidence - but you will have to state clearly why the child cannot go to school given, i am almost sure distance of travel will not be accepted, nor will your difficulty getting them there (own experience).
you can offer your medical condition as a need for the child to be as close as possible to you, for both of your safety etc.

i know this can be a traumatic time for all

good luck

Astaroth

I would have to agree with the above poster... it would not be a consideration simply because you have a condition unless the condition itself presented additional complications - like the suggestions above.

Obviously I dont know you, your circumstances at all and in no way intend to judge your motives but to play devils advocate to some degree..... for the future of your child(ren) is it not more important that you get them into the school that will give them the best possible education as a strong foundation for later life rather than convenience of a more local school?

Penny-Pincher!!

Is there a reason why your child should attend this school because of your MH problems? The admissions teams are very strict and really have to have strong reasons why your child must attend that school.

Good Luck

PP
xx

HappySad

This local school is one of the best in the area. I have spend a two years reseaching all criterias for childs needs and mine. It would be easier to just accept any school that is given but for my child I want this school because of the acedemic, ofsted, reports for parents, the school awards and I have visit the school and had a very lengthy chat with the school head. The school has a healthy school award and being BIpolar it is very important (for everyone just as much too) that he LIVES an healthy life and being healthy is not just an add of thing then very part of his life is healthy.

Local also meant that son will get a good walk into school which will help him to burn off steam at the begining of the day. Local also means that son would be able to meet up with local school friends after school at their home or mine.

I am applying for my son's first school. I feel that this is important because this school will help shape the person he is. (yes I know that home life is more important here) The school has strong decipline, forward thinking and work in partnership closely with the parents to produce happy, well behavied educated and healthy children.

What sort of things have parents said & done (no lying please) to be able to get a place into their school. I just want to know the sort of things that succeed so that I can see if any apply to my situation or can allow me to see what in my life I can apply. For years I did not know about being able to get DLA and critical illness benefits ( & I have been in and out of hospitals and seeing psychiarites all this time) and I don't want to be in the same situation with my son's education.

Scarlett1

HappySad wrote:

This local school is one of the best in the area. I have spend a two years reseaching all criterias for childs needs and mine. It would be easier to just accept any school that is given but for my child I want this school because of the acedemic, ofsted, reports for parents, the school awards and I have visit the school and had a very lengthy chat with the school head. The school has a healthy school award and being BIpolar it is very important (for everyone just as much too) that he LIVES an healthy life and being healthy is not just an add of thing then very part of his life is healthy.

Local also meant that son will get a good walk into school which will help him to burn off steam at the begining of the day. Local also means that son would be able to meet up with local school friends after school at their home or mine.

I am applying for my son's first school. I feel that this is important because this school will help shape the person he is. (yes I know that home life is more important here) The school has strong decipline, forward thinking and work in partnership closely with the parents to produce happy, well behavied educated and healthy children.

What sort of things have parents said & done (no lying please) to be able to get a place into their school. I just want to know the sort of things that succeed so that I can see if any apply to my situation or can allow me to see what in my life I can apply. For years I did not know about being able to get DLA and critical illness benefits ( & I have been in and out of hospitals and seeing psychiarites all this time) and I don't want to be in the same situation with my son's education.

maybe you can buy/rent a house within the catchment area of the school, that will be your best bet, BUT, it wont guarantee your child a place. If there are only 30 spaces and 50 local children are trying to get in then they will priortise the spaces, eg siblings of the school children first.

Is this a secondary school or primary ?

Penny-Pincher!!

Unless you have very valid reasons (mobility problems, severe physical illnesses etc) I really cant see you being allocated a space.

Do you have a good GP and CPN? If so, they could write a supporting letter, but I really dont know what they could put in the contents of the letter as there is no real reason why your child should go to that school rather than a more local needy child

I am disabled and have had severe MH problems for many years. My doctor wrote a supporting letter stating that this particular school would be best and stated reasons-but they would not be appropriate for your case.

Are you in contact with social services? They could help you if its for the welfare of the child.

We all want whats best for our children. Could you move to the catchment area? Contact the school and ask them what is the best way to proceed-you can but ask.

Good luck.

PP
xx

Penny-Pincher!!

Hi Again

I also notice that you are pregnant and expecting in May. Would a nearer school not be more appropriate with another baby on the way

I would speak to your CPN about the school entry as bi-polar normally gets worse after having a baby. You will probably need your meds changing and would need more help with both children. I think you could be awarded alot of help with the right advice.

Your starting point is GP, CPN and Social Services.

Good Luck.

PP
xx

Savvy_Sue

HappySad wrote:

The school has a healthy school award

I think all schools have been told they've got to get themselves a healthy school award, so I really wouldn't put too much weight on this ...

Prudent

I can't see why your child should be get a place on the grounds you have given. Whilst I accept that your medical condition impacts on your child, so do a whole array of other family circumstances adversely affect children. You will be surprised at the high number of children who have to cope with difficult home circumstances.

If you are resident in Scotland, your child may qualify for additionl support in their catchment school under the ASL act (2004) if home circumstances are significantly impacting on their learning. I do not think there is similar legistation in England.

I think you would win more respect from the school by being clear about why your want the place You may be wrongly labelled as a neurotic parent before you even get your foot in the door otherwise.

BernadetteN

HappySad wrote:

This local school is one of the best in the area. I have spend a two years reseaching all criterias for childs needs and mine. It would be easier to just accept any school that is given but for my child I want this school because of the acedemic, ofsted, reports for parents, the school awards and I have visit the school and had a very lengthy chat with the school head. The school has a healthy school award and being BIpolar it is very important (for everyone just as much too) that he LIVES an healthy life and being healthy is not just an add of thing then very part of his life is healthy.

Local also meant that son will get a good walk into school which will help him to burn off steam at the begining of the day. Local also means that son would be able to meet up with local school friends after school at their home or mine.

I am applying for my son's first school. I feel that this is important because this school will help shape the person he is. (yes I know that home life is more important here) The school has strong decipline, forward thinking and work in partnership closely with the parents to produce happy, well behavied educated and healthy children.

What sort of things have parents said & done (no lying please) to be able to get a place into their school. I just want to know the sort of things that succeed so that I can see if any apply to my situation or can allow me to see what in my life I can apply. For years I did not know about being able to get DLA and critical illness benefits ( & I have been in and out of hospitals and seeing psychiarites all this time) and I don't want to be in the same situation with my son's education.

Your reasons for wanting that particular school for your child are likely to be identical to the reasons of the other parents trying to get their children into that school. Your reasons are also the same reasons why I want my son to go to our local grammar school too. However, I can't see what relevance your depression has to your son going to a particular school. It is your son going to school not you. I am sorry if that sounds harsh but when my son is assessed for suitability for grammar school in a few weeks, it will be his academic ability and aspergers/dyspraxia which will be the deciding factors, not me and the support I can give him that counts.