Waiting list number - success? Post Reply

[Widger]

It appears that the catchment areas in all schools are getting ever tighter this year. I almost feel you need to literally live inside the playground to get a place in some schools.

I was wondering from people last year (where the crow flies) where you were on waiting list and if you got in to your first choice school?

My child is 4th on the waiting list for one school and wondering what chance I may have (I know things can change dramatically!)

Thanks

[Goldhawk]

How many kids do they take? If it's 60 then you have a better chance that a school with only 30
Remember the list operates according to the admissions criteria so if someone moves closer to the school than you and joins the list you will move down it

[BalhamMumWorkingFT]

I was number 5 on a 30 intake school 3 years ago. We got in for the start of Year 1 in July prior to the year. We moved up the list to number 2 by September but was overtaken 3 times before being offered a place. Don't fret... The lists do move and number 4 is quite encouraging.

[Siyeo]

We were 6th on the waiting list for honeywell last year, then 7th , then 13th.....at Christmas we were 1st to enter reception and now 4th!!!! Anyone who rents the closest home automatically jumps the queue. It is really a list of who lives closest on any given day as opposed to an actual waiting list that they work through systematically. Apparently that is the fairest way to administer the places to 'local' schools.

[happy_mummy]

Could you please tell me...
Who do you contact to find out about where you are on the waiting list? Do you contact directly the school or the council?
Thank you.

[Honeybee]

@happy_mummy: you need to call the council, not the school. I am told that the council manages the waiting list until the start of year 1, and then it gets handed over to the school to manage.

[Honeybee]

I have another question on this - when do people tend to give up their places in a particular school? (E.g. if accepting a private school place.) We're high up on a school waiting list but I'm just wondering how long we will be on tenterhooks for...

[kiwimummy]

You can't predict it. Last year for our reception place, there was an initial rush as people who'd applied as a "safety school" gave up their places when they got what they preferred. Then there was a slow trickle of spots becoming available due to life changes like moving for work or getting a spot open up at a school higher up on the preference list.

There are changes at the beginning of the school year, and even beyond. In the end we got our space when a child did not turn up for classes in September.

The big issue tends to be people moving into the zone and pushing you down the list.

I kept calling Wandsworth Council, and they really are very helpful and polite (as well as patient!). I was incredibly grateful when we finally got a spot.

[PalmerPhotography]

We were two years ago (so the last year of walking distance) and started off at about 35th on the list and got offered a place two weeks into the start of the year. It's pretty fluid even up to October half term because some children just don't show up at the start of term and they have to wait a certain amount of time and follow all sorts of procedures before they can offer the place to another child. Don't panic, it will work out! Good luck!

[Widger]

Thanks. My 1st choice school is 2 form entry so appreciate at the moment I am high up on list but as Siyeo said, it can change dramatically.

[Widger]

So I know it was only yesterday was last date to hand in acceptance letter for school places but was wondering how long you had to wait for council to call and offer you a place? Don't want to call up just yet but am secretly gagging to find out if I've moved up.

[Honeybee]

The council won't call you. You should just call them up to see where you are on the list. If you do move up the list and get offered a place they will write to you (not by email, by post).

Our first choice school had 10 out of 30 places which hadn't been accepted - this just means that the council has to chase those 10 sets of parents to find out whether they want the place or not. They need a response before they can make an offer to another child. I was told it could take up to a couple of months before anyone on the waiting list is offered a place.

So to anyone reading this who doesn't intend to take up their place and has made their mind up about this already, please let the council know as it would save a lot of stress and uncertainty for others who are waiting...!

[Widger]

Thanks Honeybee.

My friend's sister was called yesterday about her school to say she'd been given a place and she was 2nd on that list. Didn't think it would happen so quickly.

[Honeybee]

Gosh, that is quick. Was it Wandsworth Council? They told me that they wouldn't call me up, and would just write to me (maybe depends upon the person you're dealing with)?

[Widger]

Yes it was Wandsworth and she was very surprised. Lucky thing