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National Offer Day - 1st March. Anybody else anxious?

286 replies

ToxicGirl · 23/02/2022 15:22

I feel like a woman on the edge. Am unbelievably anxious about 1st March. Made my peace a long time ago with the fact DD won't get a place at our nearest secondary (within easy walking distance) because it's so oversubscribed. All her friends and most other children from her school will go there. We live a tiny bit further away and just won't get in, particularly as I understand it's a big birth year.

Would be happy with either our 2nd or 3rd choice schools. They're further away and not as popular but we'd have got a place at them in previous years as we're in catchment and just within the distance they usually offer.

However our LA has warned of unprecedented pressure on school places this year and said that the schools are likely to be significantly oversubscribed. I'm worried that we now won't get a place at the schools that would previously have been 'bankers'. Our other preferences are too far away. We won't get a place at them. Just put them down because there was nowhere else.

There are a couple of hugely undersubscribed and really poorly performing schools in neighbouring towns within the borough. From everything I've read and from looking at Y6 leavers destination info from previous years, I'm absolutely convinced we'll be allocated one of them. They're the schools people get allocated when they only put one choice down and don't get it.

I'm so anxious about it. Can't think about anything else and am driving DH mad. Am managing to hide it from DD but know she'll fall apart on Tuesday. She's prepared to go to school without her friends but not to a completely unknown school in another area.

It's going to be a long few days...

OP posts:
boarding23145 · 01/03/2022 18:28

In London and didn't get any of the 6 schools, including the closest one. Makes no sense!

Whatwouldscullydo · 01/03/2022 18:23

Truly sorry for all these awful situations

whyarentiskinnyet · 01/03/2022 18:22

We are in London and did not get any schools on our list out of 6 applied for. Been allocated a local school that we did not visit as have no interest in. Gutted.

tigerbear · 01/03/2022 18:19

OMG, @Sweetbabydust1989 I’m so sorry. 😔

Thischarmlessgirl · 01/03/2022 18:00

@BooksAndHooks I appealed last year on similar grounds and won. You need lots of professional back up but it’s possible

BettySundaes · 01/03/2022 17:52

Managed to get on the portal on the dot of 5.00pm. We have our first choice - so relieved.

LIZS · 01/03/2022 17:38

[quote Sweetbabydust1989]@Interviewdisaster it's across the road from me I no loads about it ofsted report has been poor for the last 8 years it got changed over due to how bad it is so will not be sending my boy there at all xx[/quote]
You can also find out from LA if there are any others a little further away which are undersubscribed. .

BooksAndHooks · 01/03/2022 17:34

Thankfully DD got her first and only choice. Was very worried.

Sweetbabydust1989 · 01/03/2022 17:33

@Interviewdisaster it's across the road from me I no loads about it ofsted report has been poor for the last 8 years it got changed over due to how bad it is so will not be sending my boy there at all xx

Interviewdisaster · 01/03/2022 17:31

I’m sorry you’ve had a unpleasant surprise @Sweetbabydust1989. What else do you know about the school you’ve been allocated? Is it one you visited?
I don’t mean to sound like Pollyanna, but it might not be as bad as you think. The school DS has been given is currently an Ofsted “Inadequate”. However, the report is from 6 years ago and the school has changed a lot since then. We visited it in October and we were encouraged enough to put it on our list; we’ll be hanging on for a waiting list place for our first choice, but will settle for what we’ve been given if one doesn’t come up, based on what we saw for ourselves.

LIZS · 01/03/2022 17:27

@Sweetbabydust1989

Didn't get one of his options he has been dumped in a poorly graded school I am heart broken and don't no what to do I am going to either appeal or homeschool and reapply.
Unfortunately that was probably a consequence of not listing the maximum number of preferences. If the three could not accommodate your ds he was allocated the nearest one available. The letter will give you more details of why you were unsuccessful. You can go on waiting lists for your three plus any others you may accept and hopefully one will come through. However do not decline the offer unless you are really willing to homeschool,
Echobelly · 01/03/2022 17:21

Luckily a class mum reminded us we could look on the portal now - DS will go to same school as sibling. It was pretty much a given, but always that slight worry something's gone wrong so nice to have that done with.

It's been great for his sibling in various ways who is doing brilliantly, but will be good for DS in others - he has ADHD and struggles quite a lot although bright. It will be good for him as it's small and he won't get 'lost' there. I assume we'll be able to meet SENCO during handover to talk about things. I think secondary will be critical for him and I worry poor handling could lead to real problems, but if he's understood and supported he'll be fine.

DS is at an after school thing, but will tell him when I pick up at 6.

Sweetbabydust1989 · 01/03/2022 17:20

Didn't get one of his options he has been dumped in a poorly graded school I am heart broken and don't no what to do I am going to either appeal or homeschool and reapply.

1910username · 01/03/2022 17:15

@tigerbear, just got us from Kingston. Hopefully London will follow soon.

DrHildegardeLanstrom · 01/03/2022 17:12

Or rather first choice...

DrHildegardeLanstrom · 01/03/2022 17:12

Hooray! First place!

tigerbear · 01/03/2022 17:01

Nothing showing up yet in the portal for London!

Sweetbabydust1989 · 01/03/2022 16:34

@tigerbear I only did 3 only ones my boy liked 😂x

Sweetbabydust1989 · 01/03/2022 16:32

28 mins for us London lot I no it will crash😂

Spottydotdotty · 01/03/2022 15:34

Also Trafford. First choice in Urmston thank goodness. It's all grammar or Catholic here so no surprises that I've heard about

Anna197264 · 01/03/2022 14:51

What's good for one child isn't right for another. If it feels right for your child then go for it. It's time for them to get excited about the next step not listen to what other peoples outdated views are xx

greyinganddecaying · 01/03/2022 14:50

Thanks @ToxicGirl - that's good to know.

greyinganddecaying · 01/03/2022 14:48

Thanks @Anna197264 - that's good to know. I thought it was as good as any and have heard good things (I'm especially pleased about the pastoral care side of things), I just don't want other peoples outdated views to take the shine off for him.

ToxicGirl · 01/03/2022 14:48

Sorry for all the typos above. We got SH too & are happy with it.

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ToxicGirl · 01/03/2022 14:47

Yes, lots have got SH round here too and I've also got friend with kids there that are really happy with it.

Think people sniffy about it because of its old rep but it has changed a lot by all accounts.

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