Dunraven waiting list...no7 in band. What are the chances?

[RaisinBoys]

Just that really...band 1.1, no 7 on waiting list for band. Would you give up? I know it's impossible to call it as all years are different!

[ComeIntoTheGardenMaud]

How many places are there in the band? To state the blindingly obvious, your chances are better if you're waiting for 7 out of 50 to drop out than if you're waiting for 7 out of 30.

[RaisinBoys]

You're right you're stating the blindingly obvious! But thanks!

[ComeIntoTheGardenMaud]

And you're right, it's impossible to call and your only even half-way reliable answer is likely to come from the school.

[Blu]

I think they have an intake of 180, and 5 bands, so presumably 7 out of 36.

The thing is the other 6 people ahead of you will probably also be on the waiting list for other schools, and possibly schools they prefer. Though presumably they all live nearer than you so wouldn't be waiting on other catchment / distance-based options. But they might be waiting for somewhere that doesn't rely on a catchment distance such as The Oratory or other faith option, or somewhere selective. Some might decide not to chance the wait and instead go private.

Hard to say. The area has quite a high mobility, people moving to Croydon for a bigger house etc. So again a couple of people might disappear over the summer.

Fingers crossed for you!

[RaisinBoys]

Thanks Blu.Much appreciated. PAN for Sept is 218 so figures a little better but I'm not holding out much hope at all.

ComeIntoThe have spoken to school and got the stock response. "It's not hopeless but..." Too many variables for them to give any concrete info.

Thanks guys!

[Marmitelover55]

Do you know what band he is in? At my DD's school which uses fair-banding there seems to be more movement in the top band, as it seems that more of these students end up going private. It might not be the same demographic for you though.

[RaisinBoys]

Hi Marmite He's in band 1.1 (top band of 5), so hopeful of some movement due to reasons you give. Whether it will be enough, doubtful. It is a hugely popular school with an excellent reputation and attainment so not sure many will give up places.

[Mummyhashart]

Hi Raisinboys, just wondered whether or not you ever got offered a place at Dunraven?

I am now viewing secondary schools for my DD and love Dunraven although we are out of the furthest distance offered last year.

[RaisinBoys]

Mummyhashart

Received an unexpected phone call from Dunraven last week offering a place!!!

Thought about it for a couple of days as DS settled well at his offered school.

Went to the open evening to look again - we all still loved it - and as still such early days DS is happy to move. It is also our closest non religious co-ed school and was our 1st preference.

He starts next week!

Good luck with the process - it's a trying time!

[Blu]

Really pleased you got your place, RaisinBoys!

[Mummyhashart]

Ahhh wow! So it does happen!

We have another school to view next week (would have viewed 8 in total) and we are all getting confused. Hope to submit application and send off all forms over next weekend. We are in Thornton Heath and want a non religious co ed school which is doing well but less than 30 mins or so on a bus. I've been trawling forums like this for weeks weighing up my options wondering if there is indeed light at the end of the tunnel. It's such a lottery!!!!

[Blu]

Mummyhashart, Thornton Heath is miles outside Dunraven's last distance!

Is there a bus to Kingsdale ? They allocate placesx by lottery so being a long way away is no disadvantage.

I have a feeling Harris Crystal Palace have some lottery places for those beyond a certain distance but not sure about that.

Have you got a school on your list that you have a realistic chance of getting a place at?

[Blu]

Also, Mummyhasheart, if you are looking at schools accessible from the buses that go up the A23 , what about Trinity free school that has just opened on the site of Lambeth College in Brixton? It opened this year with only 17 Students so might well have places next year. Or the City Heights Academy on the S Circular. New schools often have much wider catchments.

But all these, like Dunraven, are a very long way from Thornton Heath, so don't sound very realistic .

[RaisinBoys]

Sadly I second everything that Blu has said. We put Dunraven 1st because it is our closest school (excluding a catholic school we would not have got into nor would have tried). My DS could walk there if he had too - he won't!!

We didn't get it. We got our 3rd preference school initially - a school farther away. I think 1500 applied for Dunraven last year.

We got a waiting list place. We were surprised and delighted but had really put it out of our minds and wholeheartedly embraced the allocated school.

We also put 2 schools down out of our six that we were fairly certain we would get a place at should all else fail. You really don't want to be in the position of not getting any of your six and then the borough allocating; you will be allocated a place after all the on time applications have been dealt with.

Kingsdale has a lottery but also music places too if that is your child's strength.

If your child is arty or has an aptitude for languages try Chestnut Grove. Outstanding co-ed in Balham. A few of my son's peers got in on language this year and 3 live outside what would be considered catchment. One lives in a Waddon, one lives in Norbury. Very easy on train - Thornton Heath to Balham 10 mins and school virtually on station's doorstep. They test in early Dec for arts/languages but you have to do a Wandsworth test too in November.

How are the Croydon schools? You don't mention any. I presume there is a Harris about? The ethos wasn't for us but I know loads of families who have happy children at them.

It's a horrible time and a rubbish process but you really have to look at the admission criteria for all the schools you are interested in and ask yourself "Do I meet it?" Otherwise you're just wasting preferences.

Good luck!

[RaisinBoys]

Thanks for the good wishes Blu

[RaisinBoys]

Oh forgot to say that chestnut grove offers up to 30 art places and up to 30 language places so really worth a shot.

The aptitude tests are tough but you don't have to have prior knowledge of a foreign language. None of my son's friends spoke another language before the test.

[Mummyhashart]

Hi Blue and Raisinboys, thanks for your comments. I know, a friend of mines daughter got into DR from Thornton Heath a few years back but as the schools get better and better the catchment gets closer. DR would be 1 of possibly 6. We are 2.5 miles in a straight line. Also on our list is Kingsdale, Harris CP (close to DD primary as we've only been in TH a year), Harris South Norwood & Shirley High (although again we are a little out for SH) my DD is very much into Performing Arts attending BRITS on Saturdays. Will look into Chestnut Grove as well like you suggested. I'm hesitant on sending her to a brand new school but don't want to be allocated a school. Both Harris academies are 1.2 miles from me so stand a good chance with them. X

[Mummyhashart]

Can't believe that was your closest secondary and you still didn't get in first time around... Probably no point me wasting a preference.

[Blu]

Dunraven don't use straight line, they use 'shortest safe walking route' , so the 'last distance' will be even shorter when measured by straight line.

I can't find last year's last distances, but a couple of years it was between .4 of a mile and .9 of a mile depending on band. (apparently the top band usually has the widest catchment by distance). They give the 'last distance' figures based on the first round of offers on national offer day so I guess it widens a bit as waiting list places come up.

Also apparently Harris CP, Kingsdale and Dunraven and Graveney are amongst the top 30 most over-subscribed schools in the country!

[RaisinBoys]

Roughly same distances for 2014 entry, 1st round. Marginally over 0.9 mile for top band.

[RaisinBoys]

Re. Dunraven - Just found our initial letter saying we didn't get a place; the furthest distance reached in band 1.1 at National Offer a Day was 0.817 mile by safe, lit walking route!

[Mummyhashart]

Hi again

Thanks for your comments it has helped me out a lot when deciding which schools to list on the CAF.

I think no matter which of the schools I list I will be happy with any one of them, like you said just don't want to be in a position of getting allocated a school.