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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:
serenity · 20/10/2008 17:13

I don't know tbh - but just thought I'd show you aren't being ignored

janinlondon · 20/10/2008 16:27

Someone must know?

janinlondon · 20/10/2008 14:11

Oh dear. Was it really that unintelligible.....

janinlondon · 20/10/2008 13:49

Can I just ask a really really stupid question about how they allocate places in the preference system? If you do not get your first choice, are you considered for your second choice under the same criteria as the people who had it as a first choice? ie: Could you then usurp someone who had originally been on the list as having their first choice? Or is the first choice selection immutable and set in stone and you have to fight for second choice only with those who also put it as second choice? If that makes sense....

uptomyeyes · 19/10/2008 17:08

Gosh this thread has just reminded me that I need to get ours done asap - it goes in on thursday.

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?

Original poster
Fauve · 19/10/2008 17:01

I've done more horrible form-filling today, and will ring a neighbouring LEA tomorrow to check re Reasons for Preference. Can't ring my own because they're cr@p. If I get a sensible response, I'll post it.

OP posts:
Christie · 18/10/2008 16:17

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unknownrebelbang · 18/10/2008 15:45

Thanks for the advice Christie.

Generally speaking I would agree, but we shouldn't have a problem getting our first choice - this applicatin is for DS3, with DS1 and DS2 both still at the school, and whilst I'm not taking anything for granted we meet all the criteria.

After two previous exceedingly stressful applications, I'm determined to be less anxious this year. Just hope it doesn't come back to haunt me.

Christie · 18/10/2008 14:37

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Original poster
Fauve · 18/10/2008 14:07

It would be more entertaining if we all put our real reasons for preference, wouldn't it?

OP posts:
UnfortunatelyMurderedMe · 18/10/2008 11:53

Under my choice 1 it would be, girls school so im thinking that we maybe have a chance because girls only can apply cutting out some competition from the boys.
Choice 2 really preferred to choice 1 but only half the competition as its mixed and dd1 likes choice 1 better.
Choice 3 only on the form because it has a swimming pool and its is easy to get to and you do have 4 spaces on the form so id better go with this rather than the even more local 22% pass rate for 5 gsces(i havent looked to see whether that includes maths and english too scared to)
and choice 4 which is a roman cathloic school we are really near this one, its a good school and maybe pigs might fly and again, its aother one thats not the local 22% one.

Original poster
Fauve · 18/10/2008 11:47

I agree with you, Hassled.

OP posts:
Original poster
Fauve · 18/10/2008 11:46

I HATE all this form-filling. But it's my own fault for NOT choosing the closest school. We've still got 2 supplementary forms to fill in as well as the CAF. We have actually got a compelling reason for our first choice, it's just the other five.

OP posts:
Hassled · 18/10/2008 11:46

We have "Reason for Preference" in the space under Choices 1, 2 and 3.

So under Choice 1 I could write: "older sibllings attended, it's close and a good school", then under Choice 2 I write "It's not close or good but better than Choice 3", and under Choice 3 I write "I'd rather eat my arm than send DS2 here but you wanted 3 choices and there are only 5 High Schools in the City and the others are worse". Madness.

serenity · 18/10/2008 11:42

I didn't fill it it as our reasons were that a, it's close b, we liked it and it seemed a bit daft to write that down - I assumed it was for if you had a slightly more compelling reason than that (we only put 2 choices down as well, could have put 6 but there weren't 4 other schools that we particularly wanted him to go to) I know what you mean though. I sat there and found it hard not to write something.

We've done the CAF, just got one of the supplimentary ones to get in now!

unknownrebelbang · 18/10/2008 11:40

I don't think we've got reason for preference on our form.

We've to put three, but I will only be entering two.

We've got until the 7th November.

Original poster
Fauve · 18/10/2008 11:25

Yes, we're thinking of doing ours online. But we are asked for reasons for all SIX choices - yup, we get to name 6, too...

Obviously I know we don't have to give reasons...but if the box is there, I feel compelled to fill it in...

OP posts:
Christie · 18/10/2008 10:50

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