School admissions.

[Barmaid101]

Hi,
I’m just looking for advice as it’s got me stressing and worrying which I wasn’t expecting to start doing until around the 10th April.

Today I received a letter from my DD 3rd choice of school? Does this mean that this is likely to be her allocated schooling April?

This school was my third choice, furthest away and I only put down the second and third choice as they were the only other options in the town I live. Only three primary schools.

Do schools get information of all pupils that have put the school as a possible choice, or do they just get the information from the LA of those who will be offered a place for that school. I think this school struggles with their admissions more than others in the area so could it be they are hoping some parents may still change their minds?

If she doesn’t get her first choice I will be appealing and putting her on that schools waiting list. I am catchment area for that school, very close to that school and the catchment goes out way past where I live.

I have attached a copy of the letter, but I am so hoping that it’s like when you apply for car insurance and you start getting phone calls and emails from lots of different insurers.

[MergeDragons]

Yes this doesn't mean that you have been allocated this school. You have to wait until the 10th.

A headteacher was discussing this on TES the other day that their local academy school had been sending out similar letters to yours. They felt that the school was trying to induce parents to swap to their school. Furthermore there is a question about the school (which acts as its own admissions authority) using the data it received from the LA in this way. Questions were being raised under GDPR.

[MergeDragons]

Equally you may still end up with them. It is as you say advertising tactics much like for car insurance.

Only on the 10th will you know for certain what school you have been offered.

[Barmaid101]

Thank you for such a quick response. I don’t think the school is an academy, as to be honest I didn’t really look at this school as I looked at first two and this was the only other option in my area so it went down as number 3.
Interesting about the GDPR. I might head over to TES and have a look, been many years since I was last over there,

[LetItGoToRuin]

You probably should have blacked out the email address as well as the school name, as it's equally revealing.

[Barmaid101]

Thanks just reported it, I uploaded the wrong version 🙈

[HexagonalBattenburg]

One of our local academies (that is very very aggressive in terms of chasing pupil numbers) does this and will mailshot you with their whole "welcome" package if you've got the school down as any number preference on your school admissions. They're also very fond of planting posts on the local social media slagging off the other schools in the area and making things sound so horrific parents switch school choices in terror as well.

We got mailshotted when I had them as a second choice for changing DD1's school - even after we'd had our choice number 1 comfirmed and then they chased up on the first day of term to see if we were going to their school or not.

[Barmaid101]

I emailed the school and it turns out they have sent the letter to everyone who had it as either choice.
I also looked into it more and last year they never filled all their places and they had to lowest take up. My first choice still had places last year so I’m feeling hopeful especially as I’m very close.
Second and third choice are church schools so would be way down the list as I stated atheist on the form.
I can stop worrying for the next month now.
Still cannot believe my baby starts school in September, but I know she is more than ready and will take to it like duck to water.

[Pud2]

Have you got grounds to appeal for your first choice school if you don’t get it?

[Paddington68]

Seems like the head is encouraging people to go and see. Is engaging with people who may become parents in the school.
Gets my vote.

[Lougle]

"Second and third choice are church schools so would be way down the list as I stated atheist on the form."

Stating atheist on the form won't affect your school allocation. They don't take that into consideration. But it sounds like you're hopeful that your first choice will have enough places anyway, so it shouldn't matter.

[Helix1244]

It actually sounds like a good strategy because anyone who doesnt get their 1st/2nd choice will have to decide whether to go on waiting lists and some might decide not to and take a closer look at this school.

However i agree could be a bit worrying for people thinking they haven't got their choices

[Paddington68]

The school doesn't know where you have put it in order of preference.