School admissions – exceptional medical or social needs

Applications to schools, made under the exceptional medical or social needs admission (EMSNA) rule.

How many applications did you have for entry to schools this academic year (2018/19), which requested special consideration on the grounds of a child’s exceptional medical or social needs. Please break down this information by primary and secondary school.

Secondary

For 2018 Devon County Council received 130 requests for exceptional consideration for transfer into year 7. 

Primary

For 2018 intake the Council received 210 requests for exceptional consideration into the Reception class

How many applications on these grounds you received for each of the four preceding academic years (2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18) 

There is no requirement upon the Admissions team to maintain records for statistical purposes so all data relating to previous admissions years is destroyed in compliance with data protection laws. Therefore, the Council do not hold any detailed information relating to 2014 – 17.  

How many applications on these grounds were successful each year 

There is no requirement upon the Admissions team to maintain records for statistical purposes so all data relating to previous admissions years is destroyed in compliance with data protection laws. Therefore, the Council do not hold any detailed information relating to 2014 – 17.  

2018-19 – Primary 7 – Secondary 8  

How many applications on these grounds were declined each year 

There is no requirement upon the Admissions team to maintain records for statistical purposes so all data relating to previous admissions years is destroyed in compliance with data protection laws. Therefore, the Council do not hold any detailed information relating to 2014 – 17.  

Figures for how many primary and secondary schools accepted EMSNA applicants and how many children were accepted in total. (Eg 200 successful applicants across 50 schools in 2018/19. 150 across 40 schools in 2017/18).

For this academic year only:

A breakdown of the grounds and evidence given by successful applicants, (eg that their child has autism and their desired school has specialist teachers.) 

Information is not retained beyond necessary timescale to make decisions; therefore, this information is not held. 

A breakdown of the medical and/or social needs reasons given by parents whose applications were unsuccessful, (eg that their child has asthma or needs to stay in particular friendship group.)   

All successful applications for EMASN were medical, but no details retained, therefore, this information is not held. 

Details of the school in your area accepting the highest number of EMSNA applicants: the name of the school and how many applicants it accepted. 

Devon County Council does hold this information but as disclosure may identify individuals it may breach the first principal of the Data Protection Act 2018; therefore, this information is exempt under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 Section 40 (2) Personal Data 

And any other comments you would like to make on the issue  

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 covers requests for recorded information only and therefore we are not able to provide additional comments.