Esher College - reserve place - anyone else?

[Fizzalltheway]

Hi so my DS has applied to Esher College for 6th - applications closed yesterday and because we are not under a guaranteed place e.g live local etc then we are put into open places and then a ballot takes place apparently. Its says on website most applications are offered a place. So assumed this would be ok except today we have a received a mail saying we are only on the reserve list and next view of this is Easter. Has anyone been in this situation and got as place there ? son keen to go and not keen to look elsewhere and current indie school have suggested he needs a back up (e.g not guaranteed a spot) what do we do ? Help!

[MarchingFrogs]

Speak to him firmly about his worst case scenario - still on reserve list after Easter for Esher and no place available on results day, plus not meet criteria for staying on at his current school - and get him to look at (and apply to) at least a couple of other possible sixth forms.

[Oblomov19]

I received an email literally a few minutes ago to say that Ds1 has been offered a place.

[Southlondoner109]

My daughter is also on the reserve list. I suppose it depends where you are one of her friends is number 1 and another 453 !!!
I imagine it must move somewhat as there are such large numbers involved.

[Fizzalltheway]

Anyone know anyone who’s got a place from Walt list ?

[Jessiebubsmum]

My DD is on reserve list in the 70s and we’re gutted all her friends have places

[AndwhenyougetthereFoffsomemore]

Another one on the waiting list here - likewise the impression I got was that most people got in so quite surprised. It's not ds's first choice, but would have been his back up choice if he doesn't make the grades.... Making me think I need to look round a couple of places I'd thought I could ignore!

[Fizzalltheway]

We’re in the 400s so not much hope which is annoying as I know lots have it as a back up whereas my ds actually wants to go there !

[titchy]

I think that last year everyone on the reserve list got a place (ex-parent here).... Phone them and ask how many they would expect to go down to? Their intake's about 1000 students and hundreds who currently have offers won't take them for whatever reason.

[Fizzalltheway]

Thanks titchy but surely the wait list doesn’t move until results day which isn’t great for planning and means they miss the intro days etc. We’re over 470 on wait list which means over half hand to turn down places . means near

[titchy]

A lot will be at private currently and decide not to go at all, but yes most will have multiple offers and won't decide till results day. As I said phone them to find out how many eventually decline. It will run into the hundreds.

Godalming offers to everyone btw and has a very good rep if the journeys not too hideous. Useful plan b?

[daisybank2]

First time waiting list moves is Easter, as some give up places by then. A couple of years ago they offered places to at least the 300th person on the waiting list - but a lot of this movement does happen in the few days after GCSE results day, as students hold on to multiple places and release when they've decided where to go.