SW London grammar & private senior school - Waitlist support

Emanuel went to their waitlist for 10+ this week and we have just got a place at Trinity from waitlist as well for 10+ (phew! had a mare in one of the papers but was able to provide evidence from school to back up that it was a bad day rather than lack of ability) so there is starting to be some movement. Make sure you're in touch with the admissions team and check if any references would help.

There may well be further movement. Some parents who have paid the deposit for a private school and later hear DC have been offered places from a preferred state school’s WL may write off the private school deposit and take the state place. What’s a couple of £k compared to years of fees. Plus unexpected moves etc.

We got an email today saying all places are filled and there is now unlikely to be any movement on the waitlist

Has anyone heard back about their spot on the waitlist? Fingers crossed that there has been good news since yesterday’s deadline… I am trying to understand what could happen from next week, if we don’t hear back on Friday. Are the chances very slim that places would become available from next week onwards as I believe pretty much everyone has had to firm up their school choice by now? Has anyone heard of or experienced themselves still some movement on independent schools’ reserve list once they have filled places after the acceptance deadline? 🙏🏼

I think there will be movement today and Friday.
Tye deadline has passed and schools which aren’t full won’t hang about as they know that once people pay deposits for elsewhere and start getting used to the idea of where they’ve accepted, even if offered WL place they often say no. So fren schools have to make several calls and move down the list before someone says yes, esp when many have applied to 6 schools and can only accept 1. So don’t despair. We are in the peak few days now.

Just to say we were/are on the waiting list for Emanuel 10 + and also didn't get a place yet. We only applied to Emanuel and we have another shot next year at 11+ (I'm absolutely to about 7 schools then). But also feels a bit disheartening to be so near yet so far. So sending solidarity to everyone else in this situation whether at 10+ or 11+.

FHSS WL is on the move

I’m feeling the same too @DearDeer123 🙏🏼 Good luck! We are still on the WL and keeping our fingers crossed. It has taken longer than expected for any movement; I really hoped for some news yesterday but was told that the school likely won’t start making offers to the WL until Friday 🤞🏼

@Greenshoots12 Thank you so much 🥺🥺Really appreciated all of you for being so supportive. Let's stay positive! Things will work out well for our DC in the end! Pour yourself a glass of wine now! You deserve it. Hug x

@Jackal313 Thank you so much for your kind words. This is exactly what I needed now x
I start blaming myself not prepare my DS for the interviews and not applying few more schools for him. I didn't expect this could be so competitive and stressful 😣

Don’t lose hope. Waiting lists do continue to move. Families move away or plans change. If you’re still set on the school, email them saying how keen you are and that yes you want to remain on the list. Many families will go with other schools at this point, so the list will shrink. When places come up (and they often do come up) your chances may be pretty good. Just means you may have to forgo a deposit/term’s fees somewhere else. And if in the end it doesn’t work out with this school, it will work out wonderfully well with the school you do choose ❤️

It's bad news for us. Just received an email from school and asking if we'd be happy to remain on waitlist as they can't offer a place at the moment. DS will be very disappointed :(

Congrats! We are on two separate waitlists but still no news on either

Congrats! Love a happy ending. Wishing your DD all the best at her new school.

We got offered SHS this morning, which were extremely excited to receive. Looking forward to school pick up today to let DD know

London state secondary allocations don't come out until after 5pm today. I wouldn't expect anyone to be calling to give up their private school places until tomorrow morning at the earliest.

Has anyone heard anything about WL movement today? Or is it more likely to happen after state/grammar school offers are released? The waiting is tough!

It’s no problem whatsoever.

@CruCru thank you, I’ve reported your post! Always amazes me how people here are often so kind and generous with their knowledge.

If you would find it helpful, I would be glad to talk to you. Private messaging is down so report my post and ask MN to pass on your number (if you would like to).

Honestly, if he’s doing common entrance in 2027 then he’ll have mock exams in January 2027 - so a couple of extra exams in September / October 2026 won’t be such a big deal. We got my son to do a couple of sessions with a tutor over the summer but that was pretty much it.

From memory he was halfway down a list of 30 boys BUT our school talked to them, not us.

@CruCru @Waitingwaitlist thank you both for your insights. Yes SPS says he’ll be retested in sept 2026 - I honestly don’t know if I can face going through the uncertainty of testing again.

@CruCru were you told what rank your DS was on the waitlist, or how many boys there were?