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Original poster

Has anyone been offered an independent school place after rejection letter?

35 replies

Eighthour · 07/02/2023 13:00

Have heard of one instance of this happening before, surprisingly with a very academic school.

Our son has had no offers (and we are unlikely to get a nearby state school on 1st March) so I'm weighing up whether I should continue to call around Admissions Departments or am I wasting everyone's time?

They have Waiting List to offer before they even consider offering further down the list.

The feedback I've had so far is that he has a spiky profile with brilliant results interviews and NVR but English in particular lets him down.

Has anyone had this happen and if so at which schools? We are SW London.

OP posts:
Digimoor · 07/02/2023 14:02

I know someone who got a NO but one parent argued or bribed his way into a YES alongside a sports scholarship - quite shocking!

@Eighthour are you coming from state primary or private?

Notanotherone2 · 07/02/2023 13:51

Sorry to hear this. I do know if someone rejected from a top girls school and then offered a place in the end but it was about 20 years ago! I think the parents approached the schools she sat and asked for feedback. One school said English fine but maths not and another school the other way round. They then took the feedback to the schools and they accepted her. It might be worth asking for feedback on the weaker areas to see if there’s any discrepancies. Good luck!

wigwoowig · 07/02/2023 13:37

We are waiting on one more school; we had one rejection today and I'm waiting for the feedback.

I'm gutted tbh. The local state schools here are dire.

We won't find out about the last school until Friday by post! It's going to be a long wait...

Unsure if there's any point me asking about the likelihood of dc being accepted after waiting lists etc have been filled. It's a very selective school.

Ilovechoc12 · 07/02/2023 13:34

Op - Which school did you want?

Last year my son got on 2 wait list places - (independent - well known schools - sw) We still haven't had a call 🥲 he went to the back up school - I'm still hoping / praying they might ring one day 🤞

So much competition- it's crazy.

Sorry.

Can your son stay on in prep yr 7/8 at his current school

WeCome1 · 07/02/2023 13:15

I suppose in theory it’s possible that they totally underestimate the number from the offers and waiting list who go on to want a place, but it would be really rare.

Original poster
Eighthour · 07/02/2023 13:08

Thanks. There are other schools we can now approach - Portland Place, London Place in Clapham - however I'm interested to know whether anyone has heard of a school making an offer to an applicant they have initially sent a rejection letter to.

OP posts:
2023usernameNew · 07/02/2023 13:06

I known of someone whose son didn’t get any offers either and managed to find him a place at Ewell Castle, I believe they’re very happy.

maybe Hall school in wimbledon will have spaces too.

LIZS · 07/02/2023 13:06

But they will work through a wl first. Those on wl may be suited elsewhere but I doubt they will then go to those they rejected without reassessing. You could ask if there maybe another sitting this year but it would not be before March once deposits are due to confirm places. If the schools also intake at 12/13 they may well just wait to fill any gaps.

Original poster
Eighthour · 07/02/2023 13:06

I think they are majority early March - around the 9th.

State school / grammars will offer 1st March I think.

OP posts:
WeCome1 · 07/02/2023 13:02

Do you have a date where people have to accept places by? Ours all have movement after that and offer more places.