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Missed phone calls from independent secondary where DS on waiting list...

13 replies

dietcokeandwine · 02/03/2015 18:33

Could any posters who have been through these processes before shed any light??

DS passed entrance exam and is on the waiting list for a place at Halliford School and their deadline for offer families to accept or reject places was today.

Both DH and I have had missed calls on our phones from the school number this afternoon but - infuriatingly - both missed them. Calls came around 5.30 ish when I was mid teatime carnage (we also have two younger DC) and DH was in a meeting. So annoying! We've called back and left messages but I'm guessing the school office is now closed so we're going to have to wait till tomorrow to find out whether it's good news or not.

So two questions:

is a phone call at this stage more likely to be an offer, or a courtesy call to confirm they won't be able to make an offer?

if it is an offer - and given that no message was left-is it possible they are just working their way down the waiting list and allocating places on a 'first answers to the phone call' kind of basis? Does that kind of thing happen? Or are we massively over thinking it given that this 11+ process does seem to send you slightly insane?!!

Any thoughts gratefully received. We are new to this whole process so have no idea what to think really!

Might need wine tonight.

OP posts:

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pineapplechick · 02/03/2015 18:38

I can't imagine they'd just move on down the waiting list until someone actually replies so I'm sure you'll get good news tomorrow.

If it's any comfort, I know someone who negotiated a deadline extension with several private schools (and I believe one of them was Halliford) as they were supposed to find out today if they've got their first choice state school. I'm pretty sure there will be further movement yet on the waiting lists.

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Beingfrank · 02/03/2015 18:39

I would have thought it is most likely to be an offer. Best of luck and try not to agonise overnight! We really liked Halliford but its just a bit too far for us.

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meditrina · 02/03/2015 18:43

I've never heard of a school ringing families to say they will not be offering from the WL (that would be mail-shot, either paper or email).

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TendonQueen · 02/03/2015 18:44

I don't have knowledge of the secondary admissions process but it seems very unlikely to me that they would ring you both to tell you he hasn't got a place. They will be contacting people who they can offer a place to first.Same as if you've interviewed people for a job, you'd ring your first choice person first, then if they accept you ring and turn the others down; if they don't you ring second choice person. You wouldn't ring first choice, get their answerphone and think 'ah well, I'll offer it to second choice instead'. So by my outstanding logic I predict good news.

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GetMeOut · 02/03/2015 18:47

My experience would suggest that it is a courtesy call to see you if you still want to be on the waiting list. Some people accept offers else where and so can came off the waiting list and therefore allow others to move up.
Good luck.....

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Otterwa · 02/03/2015 18:47

I'd send a quick email. School lines likely to be closed but admissions may still be working given that it is grammar school offer day.

I'd second thinking it likely be an offer, have never heard of them working down the list until someone answers or ringing to say its a no, that is likely to be an email/letter.

Fingers crossed for you.

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jeanne16 · 02/03/2015 18:48

I don't agree. I am sure they are phoning to offer you a place. They will keep others on the waiting list for the foreseeable future. No one on the waiting list would get a rejection this early.