Rule 2 – medical or social needs
Children who have a particular medical or social need to go to the specific school being applied for.
All Hertfordshire schools can support children with a wide range of additional needs and are expected to accommodate severe medical needs.
An application made under rule 2 should clearly demonstrate why the school applied for is the only one that can meet your child’s need in a way that no other school can.
You may wish to complete the Rule 2 application form if you're making an application for a school or academy whose social / medical arrangements are considered by us. Check the rules of the school you're applying to for clarification on how to apply under Rule 2.
Evidence needed (rule 2)
Recent independent objective evidence, for example from a doctor, psychologist, social worker or other professional involved with your child.
Professional evidence that outlines exceptional family circumstances making clear why only one school can meet your child’s needs.
If the requested school is not the nearest school to your child’s home address, give specific reasons why closer schools will not meet your child's needs.
Evidence must relate specifically to the school being applied for under rule 2.
A panel of officers will decide whether the evidence provided is enough to meet the requirements for this rule.
Contact the admissions team if there are exceptional reasons stopping you from getting independent objective professional evidence by the application deadline. Applications without this evidence will be rejected.
Examples of cases that have and haven't been accepted under rule 2
Examples of cases that have been accepted under rule 2 include:
- children with an exceptional illness or disability (for example, restricted mobility) who can only reasonably attend one school
- where only one school is suitable due to child protection issues. We'll give priority to children whose education would be seriously affected if they did not go to a particular school
- exceptional cases relating to disability, where more than 1 school in the county can meet the child's specific needs, but a clear case has been made for the 'nearest school' with the relevant facilities, environment or location.
Examples of cases that have not been accepted under rule 2 include:
- cases made around childminding arrangements, such as using a childminder that children are already familiar with who caters for children attending certain schools. Or childminding by family members who live close to a specific school. These cases weren't upheld because they're not exceptional. Many families rely on complex childminding arrangements
- cases made for children with specific learning or behavioural needs where the professional evidence submitted is not school specific.
All schools are able to support children with a wide variety of individual needs. If a child’s individual needs warrant an education health and care (EHC) plan, it will name the appropriate school
- medical cases where even though there is a severe illness, more than one school could accommodate the child’s needs.
Applying under rule 2 during the continuing interest process
We'll only consider applications under rule 2 (medical or social reasons) when you first apply for a school.
However, if your child's medical or social circumstances have changed a lot since your original application, you can apply under rule 2 at the continuing interest stage.
You'll need to tell us the change in circumstances and include relevant professional evidence.
Rule 3 – siblings
Children who have a sibling at the school at the time of application, unless the sibling is in the last year of the normal age range of the school.
"Sibling" definitions
- Brother or sister.
- Half brother or sister.
- Adopted brother or sister.
- Child of the parent / carer or partner.
- Children looked after or previously looked after. This doesn't include children temporarily living in the same house. For example, a looked after child in a short term foster or bridging placement.
In every case, the sibling must be living permanently in the same family home (at least Monday to Friday).
A sibling must be on the roll of the named school or linked school, or have been offered and accepted a place, at the school at the time of application (and when the child starts).
Academies, voluntary aided and foundation schools may have a different sibling definition. Check the rules of the school you're applying to.
Rule 4 – in priority area, child's nearest school
Children who live in the priority area for whom it is their nearest Hertfordshire maintained school or academy which is:
- non-faith
- co-educational (teaches boys and girls)
- non-partially selective. That means the school doesn’t offer any places based on exams and academic ability. Read more about aptitude and ability.
You can only qualify for one school under rule 4 because only one school can be your nearest.
How we measure home to school distance
Rule 5 – in priority area, living closest to school
Children who live in the priority area on the basis of distance, with those living closest to the school given priority.
How we measure home to school distance
Rule 6 – outside priority area, living closest to school
Children living outside the priority area on the basis of distance, with those living closest to the school given priority.
How we measure home to school distance
Admission rules are applied in order. If more children qualify for a school place under a particular rule than there are places available, children will be prioritised using the next rule (for rules 2-5).