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Original poster

Common Application Form - c'mon, you're all meant to be filling it in RIGHT NOW - why do they ask for "Reason for preference"?

68 replies

Fauve · 18/10/2008 10:43

We think Reason for Preference will only become relevant if things go to appeal - presumably your case will be stronger if you can say that you stated the compelling reason on your Common Application Form. Has anyone asked their LEA?

OP posts:
UnfortunatelyMurderedMe · 22/10/2008 22:56

OUCH At least she has two chances What are your alternatives/chances?

Christie · 22/10/2008 22:54

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UnfortunatelyMurderedMe · 22/10/2008 22:43

Argh Christie. Its torture isnt it.
Your dd was sitting a load wasnt she. Do you get offered a place at all she passes then choose, or only the first preference? This is a nightmare.
And then dd2 is going to feel under HUGE pressure to pass as well Argh

Christie · 22/10/2008 22:23

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UnfortunatelyMurderedMe · 22/10/2008 21:20

Since posting on this thread dd2 has scraped through the 11 plus. And so now, my list has changed, twice, at least.
First it went
Grammar 1.6 miles away
Grammar in next town
Grammar in next town
Performing Arts Girls

Then I hit submit and regretted it.
So have changed it to
Grammar 1.6 miles away
Grammar Next town
Performing Arts Girls
Mixed Comp in Next Town.

Not going to change it again.
Have to wait till MARCH 2009 to find out.
Anyone hear an earlier than that?
Its going to be a long wait.

batters · 22/10/2008 21:13

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Original poster
Fauve · 22/10/2008 14:05

I'm glad it's done. It does feel kind of remote, Batters. Actually we were chivvied by our primary to push the button - apparently last year the system crashed because of every submitting in sychrony.

OP posts:
solo · 22/10/2008 10:50

It's really depressing! I just keep thinking 'am I making the right choices for Ds'. Ds is adamant he wants to go to a certain school and I keep thinking he'll get his 3rd choice which is just soooo not him(or me if I'm honest). He's a sensitive boy and I can't see him getting on with choice 3 at all... it's such a tough decision to make.

unhappy · 22/10/2008 09:42

Fauve well at least someone pushed it - its done now - dont think we can change after 24th October - only address details etc

Good Luck x

batters · 22/10/2008 08:24

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Original poster
Fauve · 21/10/2008 20:57

OMG dh has pushed the button. And, miracle of miracles, we can still change it, even now! The wonders of the worldwide web...

OP posts:
Christie · 21/10/2008 18:18

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unhappy · 21/10/2008 16:00

hey Cory you talking about Charters the most loved school in South East London ?

unhappy · 21/10/2008 15:58

go on push that button - I did it last week such a relief when its done

Good luck ladies especially those in SE London its a blinking lottery

Original poster
Fauve · 21/10/2008 15:24

[sings tunelessly] "Push the button and let me know..."

OP posts:
Original poster
Fauve · 21/10/2008 15:22

Janinlondon, you do usurp someone who has it as first choice, or at least you're on an equal footing with them, AFAIK.

I just can't push that Submit button. I know I won't do it till the Friday deadline.

BTW I was told not to put derogatory things about your lower choices in the Reasons for Preference boxes - because the school will see them. So don't put eg "I know it's a cr*p school but what choice have I got?" - unless of course you're sending a clear message to them to pull their socks up.

OP posts:
solo · 21/10/2008 14:56

This whole thing is driving me mad! Ds has passed both the different County Selective tests he took(and yes, I'm very proud of him), but I've yet to see the two schools out of area as they are tomorrow(Weds)and Thursday and our CAF has to be submitted by Friday 24th, so not even a day to make a final choice! it seems like madness and badly timed!

PollyGlott · 21/10/2008 12:59

Hey, Sam - great idea, it looks good! Just one problem, though - the menu options are all half-way off the left-hand edge of my screen and I can't rectify the problem. Do you need to look at the formatting?

batters · 21/10/2008 12:28

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Original poster
Fauve · 21/10/2008 12:21

I would, Sam, but it would make me more antsy. Oh, it looks interesting, though. Will go into it later...

OP posts:
Essexstardust · 21/10/2008 10:34

I cant quite seem to push that Submit button either, I think I know our choices but keep having second thoughts. Last year 20 out of the 30 children from our primary put just one secondary school on their list and all got offered a terrible failing school. they did eventually get in to the school they wanted but that wasn't till the summer holidays, very stressful.

I spent so much time talking about this subject with other parents , I have set up a new website www.schooltalkuk.com its a forum and website all about making these difficult decisions, please come and have a look and help us get things rolling, thanks hope to see you there, sam x

Original poster
Fauve · 21/10/2008 09:38

I agree with Cory - give as much compelling detail as you possibly can.

The LEA rang me back and said that you should make use of the Reason for Preference boxes if you have a compelling reason - otherwise, if you appeal, the school will say, well, why didn't you mention this when you applied?

I'm getting very antsy about this; I wanted to press the submit button today, but now think I'll have to think some more about those damn Reason... boxes. Had to ring dh to reassure me that our deadline really isn't until Friday 24 October if done online...but I'll try to get it in before then in case our computer is subjected to a zombie attack, or stolen by aliens. That would be bad. And dd would have no school to go to.

OP posts:
cory · 20/10/2008 19:34

uptomyeyes on Sun 19-Oct-08 17:08:43

"We have a letter from a Consultant to support DS1's application on medical grounds - do you think that I could put this under Reasons for Preference:

X school is our preferred choice because it is the school most geographically close to home and to Kings College Hospital where DS1 requires treatment on a regular basis( roughly 2-3 visits per term)

What do you think?"

Yes, definitely (though no need to mention how often). Also any reason you can think of why your school of choice is better fitted to meet your son's medical needs. You need to put as much as you can in that box, and letters from any supporting medics you can think of. We got in on dd's medical needs, but had to take it to appeal as we had not supplied enough evidence+reasons.

uptomyeyes · 20/10/2008 17:33

....but your 2nd preference is being assessed against people who put it as 1st, 2nd, 3rd....6th. The school just don't know that.

uptomyeyes · 20/10/2008 17:31

The schools do not know your preference, they assess every application according to their criteria. You get offered the first school that offers you a place according to your preferences. Eg if you apply for 6 schhols and schools 2, 3 and 5 offer you a place, you only get offered school 2.