Secondary Admissions form - Is there any point in filling in the optional 'reasons for preference' box?

[ChippyMinton]

Or is it ignored completely?

[LeeCoakley]

Unless the LA/school use them for some reason they are completely redundant. There are separate forms for siblings at our schools.

[ChippyMinton]

Thanks, that what I thought. I won't bother

[Blu]

I don't think it plays any part in the admissions process at all! Isn't there a line somewhere to say exactly that?

Isn't it just feedback to the schools and the LA so that they get an idea of why people choose certain schools?

[Blu]

It said specifically on ours last year (London CAF) that this was NOT the place to write about S&M or SEN reasons for meeting the admissions criteria,

[BeingFluffy]

If you have specific and valid reasons DO fill it in. If it goes to appeal the panel may take it into consideration.

[ChippyMinton]

Blu - it's part of the Pan London CAF, and yes, you are right, there are separate sections for SEN, siblings. This box says 'optional'.

I could mention religious preference

[Frikadellen]

I have been wondering a bout this as the school we are most keen on had on their admission info that last year they had taken the boys who had passed the 11+ over 415 then it says "some pupils may be offered places with entrance scores that are slightly lower (one or two marks) than the original first round offer. " I am wondering what will make the difference there in getting that offer if your son has scored 414? As the school specialises in Math and science I am assuming it has to do with showing that your son has an aptitude within this and that would be the place to write it?

Or do I have this completely wrong?

ohh roll on next wednesday (11+ date)

[Blu]

I don't think state funded schools are allowed to make any judgements over admisssions except against the criteria they publish. So if they have a few spaces spare after they have admitted all those over 415 then they might look at admitting those with 414 or 413, but unless it is part of their published criteria I don't think they can, at that point, start saying 'oh look this child is good at maths / chess / trombone / french so let's pick him!'. The places have to be allocated strictly according to the admissions code. State funded schools are not allowed to use an interview as part of the admissions decision, either.

[prh47bridge]

Frickadellen - Blu is correct. They must stick to their published admission criteria. If you PM me the name of the school I'll see if I can figure out what they mean by this comment.

ChippyMinton - You could mention religious preference but it wouldn't make any difference to your chances of getting admitted.

[swanthingafteranother]

I asked this very question today to London admissions team, and they said, no need to put anything in the box, but that legally they have to put a box so that anyone who may have a real reason, but hasn't understood which box to put it in, can put it down, and it can be helpful in case of appeals to have the reason noted. She said people sometimes write things, like "I like the grounds and the headmaster seems a very nice man" all of which are completely unnecessary!!!! Only the admissions team reads it, not the schools themselves. I was worried that if I didn't write something in favour of my first choice it would count against me, but apparently no need!!!

[Veritate]

It's relevant to the duty to take into account religious and philosophical reasons for the preference, e.g. in relation to single sex schools.

[prh47bridge]

Frikadellen - Thanks for your PM. The school you are keen on prioritises based on the score achieved in the test. Last year everyone who scored 414 or more was offered a place when the initial offers went out. Some of those offered places didn't take them up so that meant a few children who didn't achieve 414 were offered places from the waiting list because they had the highest scores. All that matters is your child's score and how far you live from this school. Nothing you put in the reasons box will make any difference to the outcome.

Veritate - Tiggytape is correct. LAs are required to allow parents to state the reasons for their preference but they cannot take any notice of them unless they are relevant to the admission criteria (and there is usually somewhere else on the form to put anything that is relevant). When deciding whether or not your child is admitted to one of your preferred schools they can only look at the oversubscription criteria. They cannot take any other factors into account. The fact that you may want a faith school for religious reasons, for example, is irrelevant. All that matters is whether or not you meet the school's church attendance requirements.