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Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

Primary education

School places allocated by lottery - anyone waiting on this or actually got a place?

18 replies

Mamabear12 · 18/04/2016 13:09

My first choice school for my DD is allocating places via lottery, because it is very popular and people were moving right next to school just to get a place. So now there is a lottery within a catchment area. Last year 120 people applied for 28 spots. 8 spots went to siblings and 20 spots for lottery! As you can imagine, I do not feel my chances are very high to get my daughter in! Has anyone ever won school spot on lottery? Anyone else waiting on a spot?

Had a dream we got a spot at our first choice last night! Was bummed when I woke up, because it was just a dream! Lol. I find out tonight. Crossing fingers my DD gets a spot!

OP posts:

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starry0ne · 18/04/2016 13:15

Never heard of that.. Our school places list went out this morning. good luck to you.

Mamabear12 · 18/04/2016 13:24

Thanks, its the only school in our area doing lottery system. I read online that there are some others in different areas. Its supposed to be done on computer program and completely random!

OP posts:

Quook · 18/04/2016 13:38

I quite like the lottery idea. It's simple to understand and thwarts those that can pay or pray for an advantage.

Good luck.

shouldwestayorshouldwego · 19/04/2016 12:24

Well I guess it depends on how successful the praying is Quook! Hope you won mamabear12

starry0ne · 19/04/2016 12:33

How did you get on?
In a way I like it because everyone in catchment gets a chance..So in a way you can't buy a place...

Mamabear12 · 19/04/2016 12:48

We didn't get a place 🙁 Apparently it was 22 siblings so only 6 spots lottery. No chance. Feel really bummed. But need to look on bright side. At least we got second choice school. Some people I know got last choice! I don't know one person who got in the lottery school by lottery. And I know ten people that put first choice and they don't know anyone else that got in either! Only people who have siblings there.

OP posts:

shouldwestayorshouldwego · 19/04/2016 13:16

With those odds it was stacked against you. I know that the current system isn't perfect but I do wonder whether a lottery is fair. A child living next door to the school has the same chance as someone 2 miles away. People could zing all over town.

Quook · 19/04/2016 13:17

That's good to hear you got second choice.

redcaryellowcar · 19/04/2016 13:23

Our local schools don't do lottery, but one is particularly sought after, I personally don't rate it, I think you might find all the hype isn't necessarily backed by a totally amazing and fabulous school and you might find your second choice is a better bet, with less pomp and drama. (Ds is in year R this year and my best conclusion on schools is that head teachers are becoming all about the marketing. Some do it better than others)

starry0ne · 19/04/2016 13:29

yes I agree..Our school got good in Ofsted after getting requires improvement..I know people who have children at the outstanding school people clamber for and I wouldn't give you a thank you for it..

Mamabear12 · 19/04/2016 14:13

My main reason for the school was it was a bilingual school, the only one in our area so our daughter would learn second language fluently. That is why it is so sought after. But this year it was impossible with 22 siblings!!! No chance :( and even worse chance on waiting list, bc that is done via lottery as well.

OP posts:

AlleyCatandRastaMouse · 19/04/2016 14:16

Lotteries are an awful system. A neighbouring county does them for secondary and kids have ended up travelling miles across county instead of the place next door while other kids travel miles in the opposite direction. That said, best of luck OP.

AlleyCatandRastaMouse · 19/04/2016 14:18

Aw sorry I missed the second page of thread and your update OP. Hope your new school turns out equally as good.

Mamabear12 · 19/04/2016 17:42

Thanks AlleyCatandRastaMouse, I agree with you..lottery systems suck! Thank goodness it was like that for the one school and we still have a good school for my daughter to attend. Although, the bilingual school is closer to us...half the distance! Ah well. I guess things happen for a reason.

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MissRabbitHasTooManyJobs · 20/04/2016 05:03

We had this for a secondary school and it's rubbish, about 60 places after siblings etc and roughly 700 applicants, we didn't get a place.
I've been troubled by it though as where is the proof? The dc who got in from Ds's class had wrote the school a long letter telling them all their talents etc and was an altar server and the school is really involved in religious services at cathedral etc. we appealed ( twice ) with substantial medical information and lost.
Still bothers me 2 years on that this is how a child's future is decided.

starry0ne · 20/04/2016 10:05

the 700 applicants were they Catchment? Our school has a couple of miles catchment#

MissRabbitHasTooManyJobs · 20/04/2016 11:30

There is no catchment! So it really is a lottery, dc travel for miles to attend the school.

starry0ne · 20/04/2016 13:28

No catchment and lottery sounds ridiculous..

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