Waiting list agony

[Zingy123]

My Dd got 3rd choice school. We were 5th for first choice then moved to 10th then after eight offers were made we are 2nd.

Is it likely people might be holding onto places at my school who also have private school offers? Someone told me once people are liable for fees they may give up the state school place. When would this be? Is it first day of summer term (end of April).

We are appealing but so hopeful of a w/l place.

Also is it true if appeals are allowed they don't offer from w/l until they are back down to PAN - 1?

This is the most stressful time of my life. I can't sleep and am constantly checking for post, new emails and doing 1471 on my phone if I go out.

Thanks

[PanelChair]

Yes, if the school has to admit additional pupils via appeal, they will not make any offers from the waiting list until numbers drop below PAN again.

[Zingy123]

Thanks

[whoatethelastbiscuit]

Hi, just to say there are parents (like us) with a private school offer still holding a state offer, we will not be liable for fees until she actually starts, we have already paid a hefty deposit, after that 1 terms notice will be due, I double checked. Our state offer was a surprise as a highly sought after school in our area, we really didn't expect to get it as lottery system in operation and heavily oversubscribed. I know several families in the same situation, all sitting on places that they may or maynot take so there is hope. We will probably decline the place, still deciding, but I have known people just not say anything until they were contacted to find out why child not at the state school. Hope it all works out for you.

[Zingy123]

Thanks. There are only two independent schools here. Their websites seem to suggest after 29th April fees will be due for the first term. Appeal is 19th May so hope we know by then.

[mummytime]

As I often say, my DS got his place after being 25th on the waiting list, to start. He was offered his place just before the May half-term, and just before the appeals were heard.
People don't reply by the deadline and don 't automatically lose their place (they have to be reminded and be given another chance to respond). Also people change their mind, or may decide to go with the offered school. Or people may have to move now. There could still be a lot of movement.

[ThreeLannistersOneTargaryen]

In our county they have a sort of clearing round in March and then another in May. There is usually some movement on the continuing interest lists then.

[Zingy123]

Thanks. So will if they allow 10 appeals for instance will they not offer from w/l from the day the appeals are allowed or from 1st September?

[Zingy123]

Thanks.

[Marmitelover55]

Where we are you need to turn down your private offer before the first day of the summer term, or you become liable for a terms fees. I thought this was pretty standard.

[whoatethelastbiscuit]

Interesting, I can only assume there is variation in T&Cs at different independent schools - this will be our third child (potentially) going in to the independent sector, so not new to the process, due to a possible job move I double checked and have it in writing that we will only be due for fees once dd steps foot on the premises in September, that foot effectively seals the contract, after that you are absolutely right a full terms fees become liable - so if we gave notice a week in to the first term (so not a full term) we would have to pay for that term and the following. And yes the deposit accepts the place at the independent school, we accepted before state offers as were not expecting to get what we got! Still a bit shocked, here you only have to notify the council if you are declining the place, not accepting so there is no incentive to act quickly although we will finalise our decision over the Easter break. Guess we are lucky, I would have assumed that it was how Marmitelover55 suggests, and would be liable from summer term hence double checking, certainly that would seem to make sense for the school. Sorry, that was a bit longer than I expected didn't mean to sideline the thread. Hope it all works out for you.

[Zingy123]

Thanks

[pooziepuzzle]

Anyone know how much movement there may be within the boys Surrey grammars on waiti lists?

[Zingy123]

Have you looked on the elevenplus forum? They seem to be very knowledgeable.

[breward]

My DS got a place at his first choice school on 17th Sept, 11 days after starting at his 2nd choice school. So there is movement even after the autumn term starts. For us it meant buying two uniforms, but we saved £120 a month on the bus fare so it was soon paid for. It is not ideal but 11 days out of 7 years at secondary school ends up being quite insignificant. DS now finds it fascinating to compare the two school experiences.

[RaspberryLemonPavlova]

My DS was 27th on the waiting list and was offered off the waiting list 3 days before appeal in May. Good luck

[Zingy123]

Thanks. Hopefully there will be movement soon.

[jacquiwhyte]

My son who did not get into his 1st choice secondary school - Glyn in Epsom, has been allocated No. 17 on the waiting list. We are 1.7m away so only just missed out on distance. Just wondering if that is a realistic possible before the end of the Summer Term, or should I just forget it? Any advise from knowledgeable parents would be grateful.
Thx.