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Original poster

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:
Hoppinggreen · 04/03/2026 17:23

Bluejay44 · 04/03/2026 17:21

I see what you mean, if that's an in year application. But if this is a year 7 application round, surely anyone moving into the area now is applying after the deadline, so how can they bump us down?

I definitely expect to be bumped down when the second round offers come out - so I'm hoping a place becomes available before then.

Edited
Show quote history

They could live closer, be in care, adopted or military for example.
This could put them above you on the wait list despite being an in year application

Original poster
Bluejay44 · 04/03/2026 17:23

minipie · 04/03/2026 17:21

Over time, you can go down on the WL if new people move into the area who are higher on the criteria than your child. For example if they have a sibling who gets an immediate place, they will be on the WL as a sibling so would usually rank higher than non siblings. Or of course if they move to an address that is closer than yours.

However - that would not generally happen in 24 hours.

How can it happen that 2 people have declined and gone private but the WL hasn’t moved? Well, usually this wouldn’t happen. One decline = one WL offer. However there are a few schools, in areas where lots go private but apply to state as backup, where the state schools are allowed to over offer by say 10 places. This is because every year at least 10 decline for private, so they can bet on the same happening again and can safely over offer. Maybe yours is one of these schools? If so then the WL won’t move until there have been at least 10 declines (or whatever the allowed over offer number is for this school). If you hunt in the admissions documentation you may find whether the school is allowed to over offer in this way and if so, by how many.

That's very interesting. This is a heavily oversubscribed school and I guess that is possible.

OP posts:
DecisionParalysis · 04/03/2026 17:22

Waiting lists have to be maintained in order of admissions criteria. So, for example, if you're first on the list currently and you have no older siblings at the school but having siblings would put a child higher in 'admissions criteria terms' than one without, then someone joining the list with an older sibling there would leapfrog you on the list. Similarly, people can move down the list if others on the waiting list move closer to the school (or others living closer add themselves to the waiting list).

I suspect at this early stage the schools don't get notified about each and every acceptance and rejection until the deadline (16th March in many places I think).

It sounds fairly likely you'll be allocated a place in the second round.

Original poster
Bluejay44 · 04/03/2026 17:21

Rollercoaster1920 · 04/03/2026 17:18

Entry is on the published criteria. The waitlist is dynamic over time. So if someone moves into the area and is higher in the criteria than your child, then your child goes down the wait list.

Also children may not settle in a school; so some inter-school in-year 7 moves can have the same effect as above.

I see what you mean, if that's an in year application. But if this is a year 7 application round, surely anyone moving into the area now is applying after the deadline, so how can they bump us down?

I definitely expect to be bumped down when the second round offers come out - so I'm hoping a place becomes available before then.

OP posts:
minipie · 04/03/2026 17:21

Over time, you can go down on the WL if new people move into the area who are higher on the criteria than your child. For example if they have a sibling who gets an immediate place, they will be on the WL as a sibling so would usually rank higher than non siblings. Or of course if they move to an address that is closer than yours.

However - that would not generally happen in 24 hours.

How can it happen that 2 people have declined and gone private but the WL hasn’t moved? Well, usually this wouldn’t happen. One decline = one WL offer. However there are a few schools, in areas where lots go private but apply to state as backup, where the state schools are allowed to over offer by say 10 places. This is because every year at least 10 decline for private, so they can bet on the same happening again and can safely over offer. Maybe yours is one of these schools? If so then the WL won’t move until there have been at least 10 declines (or whatever the allowed over offer number is for this school). If you hunt in the admissions documentation you may find whether the school is allowed to over offer in this way and if so, by how many.

Rollercoaster1920 · 04/03/2026 17:18

Entry is on the published criteria. The waitlist is dynamic over time. So if someone moves into the area and is higher in the criteria than your child, then your child goes down the wait list.

Also children may not settle in a school; so some inter-school in-year 7 moves can have the same effect as above.