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Waiting lists mid term

10 replies

Dorisdolalee · 27/04/2015 18:00

My situation is that our DC is in a school already but as we are moving she'll need to transfer at some point to be closer ( when we've moved etc). Where we are going there are a few good and a few not so good schools. I would rather wait and commute until a good school becomes available but is this possible? Do we have to put her on the list for the nearest but not great school?! Can she be on several schools' lists?! She's in reception now.
If any can enlighten me id be v grateful!

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prh47bridge · 27/04/2015 18:19

You do not have to put your daughter on the waiting list for the nearest school. However if you don't she may not be entitled to free transport.

Yes, you will be able to put your daughter on several waiting lists. There may be a limit depending on the LA but you should be able to get her on at least 3 waiting lists, possibly more.

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Dorisdolalee · 27/04/2015 19:00

Ok that's interesting thank you prh47bridge

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YonicScrewdriver · 27/04/2015 19:06

What's the maximum amount of time you'd want to do the commute. It's possible that you won't reach the top of the waiting lists in the next two years - is that doable?

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Dorisdolalee · 27/04/2015 19:22

Oh god. Not really no. But it's something I could do if necessary. If I move her to a not very good / easy to get In to local school because the commute is too difficult does it affect my chances of her getting into a better school?
Can the individual schools give me an idea of waiting lists when I visit or is it completely random? I think one school has plans to increase in size but I don't know when.

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YonicScrewdriver · 27/04/2015 19:48

Afaik the LA discharges its duty by offering you one school; if you turn it down or take it, you should be able to stay on waiting lists.

But if you are in an area where people rarely move and schools are full, a waiting list place might not come up for you either way.

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YonicScrewdriver · 27/04/2015 19:50

You should be able to get an idea of waiting lists but remember they are in criteria order not first come first served so nearer pupils, those with siblings etc may be ahead of you. And someone can move nearer and again, go ahead of you.

On the flip side, some areas drop people from the lists after a while if they don't actively ask to stay on (so some on the list might be happily settled elsewhere and decline any place that arises(

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Loobylou3 · 27/04/2015 20:47

My LA no longer holds waiting lists! I have posted recently about this here. We are looking for in year transfer and was told that the LA does not hold waiting lists and it is first come first served now! The school we want place in had no idea and thought there was a list at LA. I hope your admissions dept is more helpful than ours.
We have just received letter saying no places in our requested school and been offered another. We intend (as advised by admissions) to re submit our application for preferred school. It is by the way our actual catchment school.

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Dorisdolalee · 27/04/2015 21:13

That's a difficult situation looby. Hope you resolve it soon

Yonic thanks for your posts. It's very useful to know. I haven't a clue about this stuff.

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prh47bridge · 27/04/2015 23:12

As Loobylou3 highlights you need to check if either the schools or the LA actually hold waiting lists. They must have held a waiting list at least until Christmas but there is no requirement for them to continue to hold a list. Most still hold a waiting list but some schools and LAs don't.

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Dorisdolalee · 28/04/2015 06:48

Ok will do. Thanks everyone. I feel slightly relieved that I don't have to go on a waiting list for the really unsuitable one. And more prepared that I'll more than likely have to commute for a long while