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Can someone explain how the waiting list actually works?

106 replies

Bluejay44 · 04/03/2026 17:08

I realise this sounds a really silly question!

Offered second preference for DD (School A) . Most local school. We were expecting this and ok with it.

First preference was School B almost 2 miles away which she's in the feeder for but out of catchment.

Once places were released, I checked the spreadsheet and School B did allocate to our of catchment feeder just not quite far enough on distance.

I was told Monday that DD is 1st on the waiting list for School B but could go down.

First question, in what circs would she go down? As the waiting list is automatic, surely there's no one left to join it until the second round of applications?

Second, I know 2 people who have declined places at School B in the last 24 hours and gone private. But when I called admissions today to check if we had moved (as I hadn't heard anything) I was told no, we are still first. How is that possible?

Man on phone a bit grumpy, said not to keep calling. To be fair this was the first time I've called but I did email on Monday. I was also really polite but I understand they're probably run of their feet with anxious parents.

Do the waiting list places come up as places are made available? Or do they release them all in one go to the waiting list?

We are Cambridgeshire, if that makes a difference.

We've also accepted our second preference school to be on the safe side, though I've been reassured that won't affect the waiting list!

OP posts:
LuluWearsATutu · 14/04/2026 22:01

BF25 · 14/04/2026 20:40

Oh gosh - moving from number 1 to 14 doesn’t give me hope 😣 with the feeder school what are the other criteria? Is it feeder school first then catchment?

You’d need to look at the school’s Admissions Policy.

Its not always children in catchment who attend the feeder school.

BF25 · 14/04/2026 20:40

Oh gosh - moving from number 1 to 14 doesn’t give me hope 😣 with the feeder school what are the other criteria? Is it feeder school first then catchment?

Mayjane5 · 14/04/2026 20:38

LuluWearsATutu · 14/04/2026 19:49

We are very high on our first choice waiting but didn’t get an offer in the round before Easter, instead got the date for the appeal hearings.

Have a feeling we won’t get in. We are out of catchment but have siblings at that school but catchment trumps siblings so we could be pushed much further down.

Any advice on Appeal Hearings?

There’s a few previous threads on appeals, I’ve posted one recently, I’ve not got my date yet

LuluWearsATutu · 14/04/2026 19:49

We are very high on our first choice waiting but didn’t get an offer in the round before Easter, instead got the date for the appeal hearings.

Have a feeling we won’t get in. We are out of catchment but have siblings at that school but catchment trumps siblings so we could be pushed much further down.

Any advice on Appeal Hearings?

Mayjane5 · 14/04/2026 17:38

We were position 1 for feeder school but have moved down to 14 I think and other choice is about 30, so hoping for the appeal just waiting for the appeal date

StormySam · 14/04/2026 08:54

We are 2nd on the waiting for our 2nd choice school but out of catchment so who knows how this will go.

BF25 · 13/04/2026 23:24

I called our first choice school today (as soon as the admissions office opened after Easter) and we are 3rd on the list 😬. I don’t want to get too happy but I’m hoping that we get a place between now and summer! I haven’t told DD yet so as not to get her hopes up……

SchoolAppeal2026 · 02/04/2026 20:36

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OUB1974 · 02/04/2026 19:55

We went from 14 to 16 and now at 10. I dont expect too much more movement, but I'll feel more confident going into the hearing knowing he's so close. Good luck everyone keep posting, it's reassuring to hear of others in the same position.

ay30916 · 02/04/2026 18:51

Yes very weird. I would have been really disappointed not to have had an offer when I saw that. Fingers crossed you get one soon.

StormySam · 02/04/2026 16:47

ay30916 · 02/04/2026 16:36

@StormySamdid you find out why the new school was on your app?

No. The LA has no info. I think it might just be the way the school manages the waiting list but it is a bit weird

ay30916 · 02/04/2026 16:36

@StormySamdid you find out why the new school was on your app?

Lougle · 02/04/2026 00:59

IlluminatingKarat48 · 01/04/2026 22:54

Hi, Just wanted to check if any updates you have recieved. Honestly position dropping is confusing to me.

When new/late applications are made, they get put in priority order, not date order. So someone who lives closer, or has a sibling at the school, or goes to a feeder school, for example, may be higher up even though they applied after you.

eternalsprings · 01/04/2026 23:47

IlluminatingKarat48 · 01/04/2026 22:54

Hi, Just wanted to check if any updates you have recieved. Honestly position dropping is confusing to me.

It means there were late applicants that are higher priority than you, e.g. because they live closer.

IlluminatingKarat48 · 01/04/2026 22:54

Hi, Just wanted to check if any updates you have recieved. Honestly position dropping is confusing to me.

StormySam · 31/03/2026 09:35

Bluejay44 · 31/03/2026 09:23

Ooh not sure. Is that the app you use for your current school?

Yes, it's very strange for it to be added unless the school use it for the waiting list - exciting to see it there anyway

Bluejay44 · 31/03/2026 09:23

StormySam · 31/03/2026 09:19

Our 1st choice (that we are on the waiting list for) has just appeared on my Arbor app. Does anyone know what this means? Has this happened to anyone else? It's raised my hopes!

Ooh not sure. Is that the app you use for your current school?

OP posts:
StormySam · 31/03/2026 09:19

Our 1st choice (that we are on the waiting list for) has just appeared on my Arbor app. Does anyone know what this means? Has this happened to anyone else? It's raised my hopes!

ay30916 · 30/03/2026 15:28

@Bluejay44yes I thought that they tell people end of April date so that we don’t keep calling. It’s hard not to though! We are in catchment for this other school she wants so you never know.

OUB1974 · 30/03/2026 09:33

We moved 2 places in the wrong direction after the 2nd round...I found out this morning. Was really hoping to be higher up today. I'm going to check in weekly until the appeal hearing.

Switchy111 · 29/03/2026 12:05

OUB1974 · 29/03/2026 11:18

We are on a waiting list for a school that has a number of different criteria, to do with zones (/distance) and aptitude. We are in a particular zone, so if someone turns down a place that they were offered due to the zone, we may get offered a place. But if someone turns down a place from a different zone, or an aptitude place, then we wouldn't. I'm guessing that would be the case with you? Our school criteria lists a certain number of children due to aptitude, so if one dropped down they'd go to the next on the list.

Yes that makes sense- hopefully we get lucky in 1 of the 3! Will be watching my phone/ inbox like a hawk over the next few days.
good luck to everyone waiting

OUB1974 · 29/03/2026 11:18

Switchy111 · 29/03/2026 11:13

I am currently on 3 waiting lists! The waiting lists ‘closed’ on Friday at midday, so presuming we will find out if we have been lucky in the next few days. Our son passed a drama aptitude test for one school, but wasn’t offered a drama aptitude space - I have been told there is a separate waiting list for aptitude spaces? Has anyone else heard of this?

We are on a waiting list for a school that has a number of different criteria, to do with zones (/distance) and aptitude. We are in a particular zone, so if someone turns down a place that they were offered due to the zone, we may get offered a place. But if someone turns down a place from a different zone, or an aptitude place, then we wouldn't. I'm guessing that would be the case with you? Our school criteria lists a certain number of children due to aptitude, so if one dropped down they'd go to the next on the list.

Switchy111 · 29/03/2026 11:13

I am currently on 3 waiting lists! The waiting lists ‘closed’ on Friday at midday, so presuming we will find out if we have been lucky in the next few days. Our son passed a drama aptitude test for one school, but wasn’t offered a drama aptitude space - I have been told there is a separate waiting list for aptitude spaces? Has anyone else heard of this?

StormySam · 29/03/2026 10:39

Waiting lists are definitely moving - we have been offered our 5th choice (it was 5th as so massively oversubscribed in previous years that we thought we had no chance). Have accepted but not saying too much to DD as still holding out for our top 2

Bluejay44 · 29/03/2026 08:39

ay30916 · 28/03/2026 09:32

@Bluejay44thats great. Congratulations. I phoned last week & was told that I have to wait until end of April for any waitlist place news. I’m not sure if they offer other spaces out before then though. My DD is also still dithering. She says she will be happy with the school she has (which I know she will…her sister is already there) so will just see. I’m much less stressed about it now that she is.

That's great that your DD has happy either way. I think the main benefit of getting the offer is we finally know what we're doing, the uncertainty was stressful!

Admissions told me that too - I think they say it to put people off calling again and again. The waiting lists are definitely moving so you could hear sooner. Fingers crossed for everyone else!

OP posts: