Finton House - desperate Post Reply

[Mama]

Hello everyone!

I LOVE Finton House. I know my daughter would be very happy there and that she would thrive in such an environment. The problem (and a major one) is that we are quite far down the waiting list... I would pretty much do anything to get her there (nothing immoral though), so if anyone has any suggestions I would very much appreciate ANYTHING that might help.

Thanks!
M

[moops]

Have you read the book 'May Contain Nuts?'

Im not sure anything can be done to bump yourself up on the waiting list but keep in mind you might move up faster than you think. Apparently South West London has one of the most transient populations in the UK so people on the waiting list might have moved or places kept for siblings might not be kept or some people just might not be able to afford it in the current economic climate.

[coldatchristmas]

This may be controversial but...

Finton House has a little bit of a reputation for running a "flexible" waiting list.

I've heard stories of prospective Finton parents who perhaps might have the "wrong" profile who never seem to move up the list and other parents who seem to scoot up! This is different to some other schools which operate a rigid list done purely done on a first come first serve basis.

So what I've heard works is to keep ringing the school, always be pleasant and polite but keep saying how keen little Johnny is to join the school. Find an excuse, any excuse to keep being front of mind. If you've got friends who are already there who can put in a good word then that'll certainly help and if not find some! We went to an open day there once and at the end we all got to "say a few words" to the admissions secretary! It was like meeting the queen! We all formed a wedding-style queue and all got to say hello! (I can't help remembering the four weddings and a funeral line "you must be very proud"). When she got to us she smiled thinly and then started chatting loudly to the man on my right next in line! I didn't think we were going to get in!

All of this aside, I think its a wonderful school and everyone I know loves it. Just be aware if you have boys that they all leave at 7/8

Good luck!

CAC

[moops]

OMG CAC that is hilarious! It reminds me of the book I mentioned in my first post, how outrageous!

[coldatchristmas]

I know!!!

I thought it was just me but I turned to look at my partner and they said "did that just happen?"

this was five years ago though...

[Mama]

Thank you for all your comments and views, I still think Finton House is the perfect school for my daughter so I will try and try. I do not wish anyone wrong, so I just hope a lot of people had to move abroad/to the countryside and they are no longer interested!

Fingers crossed...

[juliantenniscoach]

hi

I know finton very well from both pupils and staff. I think CAC's comments are a bit outdated these days. I don't think they are a "may contain nuts" school at all. I would take heart from the fact that waiting list and places are 2 very different things and parents think nothing of dropping deposit money at various schools in a state of panic and go from there. be persistent by phone and letter, clearly not desparate as that's never attractive is it? I think calculated persistence will see you right. it is a great school. best wishes.

julian

[Mama]

Thanks very much Julian!
I really appreciate your encouragement. I am desperate in the sense that I would really really love to be able to get my daughter in that wonderful school but not in despair, if you see what I mean. So hopefully I may be lucky and a lot of people that are higher up in the list than me will not be as interested in Finton as I am and I will have a place.

Fingers crossed.

[moops]

I would suggest replying to the original thread that you started, it makes it easier to follow!

[Annabel (admin)]

Hi
I have merged the posts - hope it all makes sense to everyone!

Cheers

Annabel

[Mama]

Sorry moops, I am not sure I understand what you mean as I am not very familiar with the 'how to' of posting and blogging but I will try to use the site as well as I can.
Thanks administrator for your help.

[moops]

Hi!

Sorry I didn't mean that as a criticism, I know how hard it is to get a handle of different forums! It is just easier to reply to the original post so we can all follow the conversation!

[Annabel (admin)]

none taken!

[Mama]

Thanks. For learning purposes, have I done it well this time and the previous message? I have pressed the reply at the bottom of the page on the last two occasions...

[Annabel (admin)]

Beautifully!